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A  Rose  o' 
Plymouth  -Town 


A  Romantic  Comedy  in  Four  Acts 

by  Beulah  Marie  Dix 

and  Evelyn  Greenleaf  Sutherland 


1903 

The  Fortune  Press 


Copyright,  igo3 

Ernest  L.  Briggs 

Boston 


TO 

MISS  MINNIE  DUPREE 

WHOSE    EXQUISITE   IMPERSONATION    HAS  WON 

FOR    OUR   "ROSE" 

LOVE  AND   LONG  REMEMBRANCE 

THIS   HER  STORY 

IS   AFFECTIONATELY   DEDICATED 

BY  THE   AUTHORS 


082 


THIS  PLAY   IS  AVAILABLE 

FOR   AMATEUR   PERFORMANCE 

BY  ARRANGEMENT  WITH    THE    AUTHORS 

AND   PAYMENT   OF  ROYALTY 


DRAMATIS   PERSONiE 

Miles  Standish,  Captain  of  Plymouth 
Garrett  Foster,  of  Weston's  men 
John  Margeson, 


of  the  Plymouth  colonists 
Philippe  de  la  Noye,  j 

Miriam  Chillingsley,  cousin  to  the  Captain 

Barbara  Standish,  wife  to  the  Captain 

Resolute  Story,  aunt  to  the  Captain 

Rose  de  la  Noye 


Place  :  Plymouth  in  New  England 
Period:   1622-1623 


Act  I.  An  early  Morning  in  August 

Act  II.  An  Afternoon  in  October 

Act  III.  A  Night  in  March 

Act  IV.  The  next  Afternoon 


Act  I 


Stolen  Fruit 


A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN 


ACT  I 

Scene:— THE  KITCHEN  OF  CAPTAIN  STAN- 
DISH'S  HOUSE.  A  rudey  early-colonial  interior,  with 
a  great  fireplace  at  L.  At  Rj  a  fiight  of  stairs  goes  up 
to  the  garret  chambers.  Door  Ri  to  inner  rooms.  At  C 
the  entrance  door.  Latticed  windows  LC  and  Lj.  A 
cupboard  with  dishes  and  household  utensils  beneath  the 
stairs  at  R.  A  great  settle  before  the  fireplace.  A  rude 
table  at  R.  A  heavy  old  chair  or  two,  and  some  stools 
about  the  room. 

When  the  curtain  rises  the  lattices  are  swung  wide  and  the 
door  C  is  open,  giving  a  view  of  Plymouth  harbor  and  the 
Manomet  headlands,  dim  and  gray  in  the  early  dawn.  As 
the  act  goes  on,  the  gray  light  changes  to  rosy  dawn-light, 
which  brightens  to  sunlight  at  the  entrance  of  Rose  de  la 
Noye. 

Before  the  curtain  rises  there  is  distinctly  heard  a  murmur 
of  men' s  voices,  a  sharp,  military -sounding  order  or  two, 
the  clash  of  armor,  and  the  retreating  of  heavy,  marching 
feet.    ^ 

At  rise  of  curtain,  Barbara  Standish,  a  comely  yoimg 
matron,  is  looking  out  at  the  door  C.  To  her  enter  Rj 
Miriam  Chillingsley,  a  slender  young  Puritan  maid,  dressed 
hastily,  as  if  newly  risen,  and  with  a  nightcap  tied  under 
her  chin. 


2  A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Miriam  —  Mistress  Standish  !     (runs  down  stairs)     Oh, 

Mistress  Standish! 

Barbara — Why,   child,   what  called  you  from  your 

bed  so  early? 

Enter  Rl  Aunt  Resolute  Story,  a  plump  old  gentle- 
woman, in  a  short  bed-gown,  worn  over  an  elaborately 
quilted  petticoat,  and  a  frilled  nightcap. 

Aunt  Resolute  —  Called  her  from  bed?  'Tis  enough 
to  call  any  poor  body  from  their  last  bed  of  all — this 
growling  o'  men,  and  clash  o'  breast-plates,  and  tramp- 
ling as  of  Bashan  bulls  —  and  the  sun  not  over  the  sea- 
edge  !  Truly,  one  should  have  nerves  of  bow-string, 
ere  one  come  to  so  nerve-racking  a  corner  !  What's 
toward?  Sits  on  settle 

Miriam  —  Ay,  what  is  it  hath  happened?  I  heard 
men  speak,  and  Rose — she  hath  run  away  and  left  me 
— she's  nowhere  in  the  room. 

Barbara — 'Tis  no  cause  for  fear.  The  Captain  was 
summoned  in  haste,  and  as  we  were  already  well  roused 
up,  our  wild  Rose  was  loath  to  creep  back  to  bed  on 
so  fair  a  morning.      She  hath  run  to  the  spring — 

Aunt  Resolute — The  Captain  summoned?  What  is 
amiss  ?     Who  hath  done  wrong  ? 

Barbara — Nay,  whence  begins  all  the  wrong  in  our 
little  colony  in  these  days  ?  She  begins  to  set  the  roo?n  to 
rights,  straightening  chairs,  wiping  and  arranging  dishes  in 
cupboard,  etc. 

Miriam — 'Tis  again  those  lusty  men  of  Master  Wes- 
ton's—  they  who  are  staying  with  us  till  they  plant 
their  settlement  at  Wessagusett? 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  3 

Barbara — Ay,  another  brawl  in  the  quarters  of  Master 
Weston's  men,  and  the  Captain  called  forth  in  haste  to 
cool  their  hot  bloods. 

Miriam — Those  wicked  firebrands!  I  heard  John 
Margeson  say  they  were  naught  but  the  off-scourings 
of  London's  streets  and  prisons. 

Aunt  Resolute — John  Margeson!  Ay,  a  worthy 
citizen  he  of  our  new,  merry  commonwealth  of  Plym- 
outh !  A  merry  commonwealth,  good  lack  !  A  block- 
house, psalms  a  plenty,  and  now  and  then  a  bear ! 

Barbara — Nay,  sure,  dear  Aunt,  our  little  Plymouth, 
far  though  it  be,  is  a  sweet  and  quiet  spot. 

Aunt  Resolute  —  Quiet?  Quiet?  Good  lack,  so  is 
the  grave  quiet !  An  you  be  so  fain  to  be  quiet,  why 
not  go  further  than  Plymouth,  to  the  one  place  quieter 
than  Plymouth?  Points  upward 

Barbara — Pray  you.  Aunt,  an  you  hold  our  poor 
Plymouth  so  in  contempt,  why  came  you  hither  from 
your  gay  London  town  ? 

Aunt  Resolute — When  a  female  hath  lived  to  over- 
ripe years,  she  cometh  to  know  all  the  gay  thrills  that 
even  gay  London  town  can  give  her.  I  came  to  your 
little  Plymouth  in  the  hope  that  I  might  find  in  the 
wilderness  one  last  new  sensation;  and  for  a  new  sen- 
sation I  would  go  to  —  Rises  excitedly ,  points  downward 

Barbara — (warni?igiy^  Aunt! 

Aunt  Resolute — Lord,  why  shouldn't  I  say  the  word  ? 
One  hears  it  oft  enough  in  your  endless  Plymouth 
sermons.  Sits 


4  A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Miriam  —  And  hast  thou  found  thy  new  sensation. 
Mistress  Story? 

Aunt  Resolute — What  sensation  hath  your  Plymouth 
to  offer,  unless  sensation  grow  in  a  cornfield?  I  go  out; 
I  hear  the  men  talk  of  how  the  corn  is  growing  in  the 
fields.  I  come  in ;  I  hear  the  women  talk  of  how  the 
corn  is  boiling  in  their  kettles.  Oh,  rich  sensations  has 
this,  your  Plymouth. 

Miriam — Nay,  Aunt  Resolute. 

Aunt  Resolute — Oh,  a  paradise  is  Plymouth  to  you, 
little  Miriam,  since  it  doth  nest  that  rare  bird,  John 
Margeson. 

Miriam — Nay,  Mistress  Story,  to  speak  so  of  an  ex- 
cellent— 

Aunt  Resolute — Excellent?  Ay,  that's  the  plague 
of  it,  that  so  excellent  a  man  should  be  so  sad  a  weak- 
ling. The  like  of  him  to  speak  ill  of  Weston's  men ! 
Knaves  Weston's  men  may  be,  but,  God  wot,  they 
have  blood  in  them,  ay,  red  blood,  with  a  jump  to  it ! 
Your  excellent  Margeson — verily,  I  think  his  blood 
is  green ! 

Miriam — O,  Mistress  Standish,  she  would  rate  Master 
Weston's  knaves  above  John  Margeson — those  rogues 
of  Wessagusett  men ! 

Barbara  —  Nay,  nay,  dear  lass,  there  may  be  good 
men  in  Master  Weston's  company. 

Miriam — You  may  speak  forbearingly  of  them.  Mis- 
tress Standish.  And  yet  you  are  waiting  here  now,  I 
know,  in  very  fear  lest  they  do  harm  unto  the  Captain, 
your  husband. 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  5 

Barbara — Nay,  I  have  no  fear  for  Captain  Standish, 
my  husband,  though  the  whole  three  score  of  Weston's 
bulUes  were  pitted  against  him. 

Aunt  Resolute — Ay,  my  nephew,  the  Captain,  hath 
his  faults,  but  he's  no  John  Margeson  to  be  frightened 
by  the  bleat  of  a  ewe — no,  nor  by  the  horns  of  a  ram, 
neither !  Goes  up  to  door  C 

Miriam — [in  tears)  I  scarce  wake  when  I'm  chidden! 

Barbara — Nay,  but  we  meant  not  to  chide  you,  dear. 
[Rose  is  heard  laughing  outside)  Hark!  Yonder  comes 
our  Rose  to  sweeten  our  humor.      Dry  thine  eyes. 

Miriam — Yea,  'tis  Rose  indeed,  (runs  to  door  C)  And 
with  her  comes — 

Aunt  Resolute — Your  John  Margeson,  mistress. 
The  ewes  must  lie  safe  in  fold  since  he's  abroad. 

Miriam — Ay,  'tis  John. 

Aunt  Resolute — Thou  art  scarce  apparelled  for  a 
levee.     Thy  nightcap — 

Miriam — [snatching  off  cap)  Good  lack,  I  had  forgot! 
(runs  up  stairs)  But  you — you  also — look  but  at  your 
cap! 

Fjxit  Miriam  Rj. 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  when  a  female  hath  lived  to 
my  years,  it  matters  little  if  she  go  abroad  nightcapped 
— or  bide  at  home  wi'  nightcap  and  naught  else!  Rest 
you  fair,  niece  Barbara,  rest  you  fair ! 

Exit  Aunt  Resolute  Ri. 

Barbara — Come  your  ways  in,  Rose!  Truly,  you 
bring  the  sweet  o'  the  morning  with  you ! 


6  A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Enter  C  Rose  de  la  Noye^  a  little,  curly-haired  lass 
of  seventeen^  dressed  after  the  Puritan  fashion,  but 
herself  without  a  trace  of  the  Puritan  in  face  or  bear- 
ing. She  carries  a  red  rose  in  her  hand,  and  co?nes 
running  in,  laughing. 

Behind  her  come  Philippe  de  la  Noye,  a  dark,  sturdy 
Huguenot  lad  of  eighteen,  and  fohn  Marge  son,  a 
youjig  man  in  his  early  twenties,  heavy  and  rather 
sullen-faced.  The  two  lads  carry  between  them  a 
bucket  of  water. 

Rose — Good  greeting  to  you,  Mistress  Barbara.  I  go 
forth  unattended;  I  return — regard!  [points  to  the  lads 
who  have  paused  in  doorway)  Set  down  the  bucket  yon- 
der, good  servants,  and  I  will  prepare  the  breakfast. 
Come,  Mistress  Standish,  what  will  you?  A  boiled 
capon,  a  roasted  neat's  tongue,  a  pasty  of  venison,  an 
olave  pie,  a  roasted  swan  —  or  a  ravishing  porridge  of 
beans?  Ah,  I  know  ere  I  ask.  'Twill  be  the  divine, 
the  ecstatic  bean  porridge !  With  it  I  have  lived,  and 
with  it  I  shall  die  —  and  of  it  I  shall  die,  if  I  bide  out 
my  life  in  this  lost  corner  of  the  world !  Why  stand 
you  twain  idle  there  ?  Pray  you  now,  John  Margeson, 
fill  me  the  kettle,  and  you.  Brother  Philippe,  mend  me 
the  fire. 

John  —  Suffer  me  do  it.  John  and  Philippe  mend  f  re, 
fill  kettle^  etc. 

Rose  —  Now  do  you  go  in,  mistress,  and  leave  me,  for 
to  cook  bean  porridge  doth  require  a  skill,  a  delicacy, 
the  fine  hand  —  you  Englishwomen  have  not  the  art! 

Barbara  —  But  little  shrew,  may  I  not  cook  in  mine 
own  kitchen? 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  7 

Rose — What  have  you,  the  mistress  of  this  castle,  to 
do  with  cooking?  Also,  you  are  no  cook!  Go  in  and 
put  on  a  cambric  kerchief,  and  so  be  beautiful  to  our 
eyes. 

Barbara — Hush,  hush!    You  giddy-tongued  flatterer! 

Rose — You  call  me  ill  names,  and  I  will  no  longer 
adorn  your  house  with  my  presence.  Go,  leave  me  to 
work !      Morbleu,  will  you — 

Philippe — Rose!   Rose!  Crosses  to  her 

Rose — Ay,  see  how  she  will  drive  me  to  swear !  And 
my  immortal  soul,  alas,  my  immortal  soul !  Co  !  Par 
le  sambleu  — 

Barbara — {^covering  her  ears  with  her  hands\  I'm  gone! 
I'm  gone! 

Kxit  Barbara  Ri. 

Rose — .S*^,  sa,  p'tity  Philippe!  The  naughty  word  was 
so  near  the  lip,  'twas  better  to  let  it  forth  than  swallow 
it  to  spoil  my  porridge.  Also  you  do  not  understand 
the  French  tongue,  eh,  John  Margeson? 

John — Nay,  mistress. 

Rose — A  pity  I  *Tis  a  noble  tongue,  an  extraordinary 
tongue,  a  tongue  with  possibilities!  (lays  cloth  on  table 
Rf  with  Philippe's  help)  And  now  since  you  two  have 
been  drawers  of  water,  be  also  my  hewers  of  wood. 
You  will  fetch  it  me,  will  you  not,  Philippe,  honey? 

Philippe — Ay,  surely,  sister.  I'll  fetch  an  armful  of 
wood  for  you,  and  John  shall  bring  one  for  sweetheart 
Miriam. 

John — Whose  sweetheart? 


8  A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Philippe — Why,  yours. 

John — Who  saith  so  ? 

Philippe — All  the  town. 

John — Believe  not  all  the  town  says.      Starts  to  door  C 

Re-enter  Miriam  Rj. 

Miriam — Good  morrow  to  you  all.      Good  morrow, 
John.  Comes  down  stairs 

John — [indifferently)  Good  morrow,  good  morrow, 
Miriam.      Is  it  wood  you  bid  me  fetch.  Rose? 

Rose — Ay. 

Miriam — John,   a  moment.      John,   cannot  you — I 

had  —  I  wished — 

John — Time  presses,  Miriam.      What  is  it  you  would 

say? 

Miriam — Sure,  I've  near  forgot.    You  spoke  so  sharp, 

you  put  it  from  my  mind. 

John  —  Perhaps  you  will  recall  it  ere  we  meet  again. 

Miriam  —  [eagerly)  When  shall  that  be? 

John  —  I  know  not.  I  must  sail  this  morning  for 
Nauset  with  the  Captain. 

Miriam — To  Nauset?     So  far  a  journey,  John? 

John — Why,  what  matters  it? 

Miriam — What  matters  it! 

John — Yea,  I  know  not  how  I  have  deserved  so  large 
a  place  in  your  thoughts  that  it  should  matter,  [to  Rose) 
God  be  wi'  you ! 

Exit  "John  C, 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  9 

Miriam — John!    Leans  against  door-frame y  back  to  room 

Rose — Pig  that  he  is!  Why  dost  thou  not  kill  him, 
Philippe  ? 

Philippe — What  quarrel  have  I  with  friend  John? 

Rose — Oh,  you  men,  you  men  !  You  will  uphold  each 
other  in  all  knavery ! 

Philippe — But  Rose,  if  John  doth  not  love  Miriam — 

Rose — But  Philippe,  if  Miriam  loves  John! 

Philippe — Yet  still  'tis  no  crime  though  he  — 

Rose — No  crime?  No  crime?  'Tis  a  hanging  crime 
if  a  lad  with  red  blood  in  him  doth  meet  love  in  a 
sweet  maid's  eyes  and  not  look  loving  back — when  it 
is  summer-time,  when — Ay,  but  what  can  a  lad  such 
as  thou  know  of  these  matters  ? 

Philippe — {^indignantly^   Eh?  Miriam  sobs  aloud 

Rose — My  poor  Miriam  !  Listen,  Philippe,  'tis  you 
must  be  vastly  gentle  to  her. 

Philippe  —  [huffily^  Nay,  I  know  naught  of  such 
matters. 

Rose — She  is  as  my  own  sister,  I  say.  Be  you  as  her 
own  brother,  and  kind  to  her  as  a  brother. 

Philippe  —  Methinks,  Rose,  the  kindness  here  must 
come  from  you. 

Rose — How  kinder  than  I  am  always  to  her? 

Philippe — By  being  more  unkind  to  John  Margeson. 
[goes  to  door  C;  speaks  hesitatingly  to  M.iriam\  May  I 
pass  hence,  mistress? 


lo  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

Miriam — Oh!    (moves  from  door-way'^   Forgive  me  ! 

Philippe — Mayhap  you'd  not  be  loath  to  walk  forth 
a  pace  or  two?  'Tis  a  fair  morning.  Belike  you'll 
feel  freer  out  o'  doors.  There's  the  fresh  breeze  and 
sweet  smelling  things. 

Miriam — (indifferently)   Yea,  I'll  come. 

Exeunt  Philippe  and  Miriam  C. 

Rose — By  being  unkind  to  John  Margeson !  What 
mean  he?  Why,  can  he  dare —  Oh,  oh!  Find  me 
two  men,  and  I'll  find  you  a  fool  and  a  half!  Nay,  I 
wrong  men;  I'll  find  you  two  fools!  Slight  my 
Miriam  that  loves  him  for — 

Re-enter  yohn  C,  with  armful  of  wood 

Now  to  see !    (without  looking  round)    Oh,  are  you  come, 

dear? 

John — Dear!  Lets  wood  fall  to  floor 

Rose — 'Tis  you?  Methought  it  was  my  brother 
Philippe.      Oh,  pardon  me  that  I — that  I — 

John — What  is  it  I  have  to  pardon  that  you  called  me 
by  a  name  so  pleasant  to  hear? 

Rose  —  I   thought  it  might  be   that  you  would    take 

amiss — 

John — (ardently)   How  could  I  take  it  amiss? 

Rose — Then  you're  not  angry  ? 

John — Angry ! 

Rose — (laughing)  Then  pray  you,  pick  up  my  wood  for 
me,  good  John.       Sets  table  with  plates,  cups,  a  loaf,  etc. 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  ii 

John — Ay,  Rose.  Places  wood  by  hearth 

Rose — John.  Methinks  the  name  comes  sweetly  to 
my  lips. 

John — Rose!      Can  you  feel  that?     My  name.? 

Rose — There  was  a  time  I  had  an  attachment,  an  hon- 
est tenderness  for  one  that  bore  the  name  of  John. 
Some  ways  you  do  recall  him  to  me. 

John — [^jealously^   A  lover,  was  it.? 

Rose — You  might  call  it  so,  if  to  love  truly  make  a 
lover.  Brown  eyes  he  had,  dear  eyes,  and  he  would 
lick  my  hand  so  tenderly — 

John — Lick.?     A  lover?    What  do  you  talk  of.  Rose? 

Rose — Why,  of  my  well-beloved  dog,  English  John, 
we  called  him.  He's  dead  now  two  years,  poor  sweet- 
heart ! 

John — A  cur  dog! 

Rose — Nay,  there  be  dogs  that  none  may  call  cur,  as 
there  be  men  one  may  call  naught  else !  Oh,  oh ! 
You're  angry  in  earnest  now ! 

John — Do  you  think  it  kindly,  mistress,  to  play  thus 
with  a  friendly  heart? 

Rose — Do  you  think  it  manly,  John  Margeson,  to 
play  with  a  loving  heart? 

John — I  know  not  what  you  mean. 

Rose — You  will  not  know.  It  is  of  Miriam  we  speak. 
And  you  do  know.      Speak  truly. 


12  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

John — Do  you  hold  it  Christian  charity  to  condemn 
a  man  for  that  the  gossips  have  mauled  him  with  their 
idle  tongues?  It  is  naught  but  gossip,  I  tell  you.  I 
have  never  spoken  what  may  be  construed  love  to  any 
maid  in  the  colony  or  plighted  faith  to  any. 

Rose — And  since  you  have  not  sealed  a  formal  be- 
trothal, you  do  hold  yourself  free  ?  May  one  not 
speak  without  words,  and  stand  bound  thereby?  Do 
you  hold  yourself  free,  I  say  ? 

John — Would  you  judge  otherwise? 

Rose — Nay,  I'll  take  instruction  in  this  case  from  you. 

John — Will  you  take  instruction  from  me  in  aught 
else,  beside,  sweet  Rose? 

Rose — Perchance  'tis  in  me  to  give  you  some  excellent 
instruction  myself,  sir. 

John — And  I  may  come  hither  to  receive  it,  then? 

Rose — Surely,  I  have  no  right  to  shut  the  door  on 
Captain  Standish's  friends. 

John  —  I  thank  you. 

Rose — In  the  end  you  will  not  thank  me,  more  than 
the  lad  thanks  the  rod. 

John — I'll  lay  the  warning  to  heart,  be  sure! 

Exit  "John  C,  laughing. 

Rose — You  will?  (runs  to  door)  I  warned  him  fairly! 
So  he  will  come  seeking  me  and  leave  my  Miriam  to 
weep?  Oh,  I'll  punish  you — I'll  punish  you  roundly! 
Hey,  John  Margeson,  I'll  lead  you  such  a  dance! 
You'll  ache  for't! 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  13 

An  armful  of  green  corn  flies  through  window  Z/,  and 
after  it  enter  headlong  Garrett  Foster ^  a  well-favored 
young  dare-devil  of  twenty,  coatless  and  bareheaded. 

Rose — Oh ! 

Garrett — Hide  me!      Hide  me  quick! 

Rose — You've  been  stealing  corn ! 

Garrett — Most  evidently !      And  also,  if  they  take 
me,  I'll  be  flogged.      Where  can  I  hide  ? 

Rose — I'm  not  helping  you!     I  won't  help  you,  I  say! 

Garrett — (catching  her  by  the  wrist^   Mistress,  did  you 
ever  see  a  man  flogged? 

Rose — No,  nor  want  to  see  one. 

Garrett — Then  you'd   best   hide   me   quick.       'Tis 
hardly  prettier  to  see  than  to  feel.       Dashes  to  door  Ri 

Rose — No,  no !      Mistress  Standish  is  within !      Stop 
there ! 

Garrett  —  [hiding    by    cupboard,    in    angle    of  stairs\ 
They're  coming.      Don't  tell ! 

Rose — But  I — but  I — 

Garrett — Don't  tell,  I  say! 

Re-enter  John  C,  hastily. 

John — Rose!    Rose!      Have  you  seen — 

Rose — O  John!      I'm  so  frightened!     A  man  jumped 
in  at  our  window  but  now,  and — and — 

John — Which  way  did  he  run?    Beggarly  thief!    The 
Captain  will  flay  him  alive  for  this. 


14         A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Rose — Flay!  Oh!  He — he  jumped  in  at  the  win- 
dow, and — and  he  ran  out  again  by  the  door !  Did 
you  not  see  ?  Run,  run,  John  !  Stop  him !  That  way, 
I  pray  you,  run ! 

John — The  thief!     You  do  well  to  wish  him  caught! 

Exit  'John  C,  running. 

Rose — Run,  run,  good  John  !  That  way !  Yea,  but 
I  wish  you  may  catch  him ! 

Garrett — [coming  forward)  I  am  your  very  slave  for 
this,  mistress — Mistress  Rose.  [Rose  stands  back  to,  at 
window,  ignoring  his  presence)  I  offered  you  my  humble 
thanks,  mistress.  I  am  in  your  debt.  I  pray  you 
believe — [strikes  his  fist  on  table)  Zounds,  mistress,  are 
you  dumb  ? 

Rose — [turning)  Are  you  deaf?  Did  you  not  hear  me 
swear  but  now  you  were  halfway  to  the  shore  ?  Verily, 
you  cannot  be  in  two  places  at  once,  nor  will  I  be 
forsworn. 

Garrett — Oh,  but  there's  been  ample  time  for  me 
to  have  dodged  that  thick-skull,  made  a  circuit  through 
Dr.  Fuller's  dooryard,  and  returned  hither  again. 

Rose — And  pray,  who  bade  you  return  ? 

Garrett — If  I  waited  to  be  bidden,  I  had  often  stood 
on  the  wrong  side  of  men's  doors. 

Rose — You  stand  far  on  the  wrong  side  of  our  door 
now.      Pack  hence! 

Garrett — [sits  by  table)  Wherefore.? 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  15 

Rose — Lest  along  with  our  corn  you  carry  away  our 
kettle  to  cook  it  in,  and  our  spoons  and  trenchers  to 
eat  it  withal. 

Garrett — Nay,  so  I  have  the  corn,  I  can  shift  with 
my  fingers. 

Rose — Are  you  so  hungry,  then  ?  Truly,  you  have 
not  the  air  of  it. 

Garrett — I'll  not  claim  I'm  starving.  But  if  you 
had  kept  life  alive  these  weary  weeks  on  salt  ship's  beef 
and  biscuits  swarming  with — 

Rose — Come!  These  are  not  pretty  stories.  And  so 
the  corn  waved — 

Garrett  —  Ay,  the  corn  beckoned  with  fair  green 
fingers  and  said — Taste  an  I  be  not  sweet ! 

Rose — And  the  corn  whispered  not — I  am  thy  neigh- 
bor's corn? 

Garrett — You  know  the  wise  saw? 

Rose — Nay. 

Garrett — As  to  stolen  fruit  and  its  sweetness? 

Rose — Stolen  fruit — 

Garrett — And  truly  the  biscuits  swarmed  with  — 

Rose — Hush,  hush !  (cuts  slice  from  loaf^  Eat  of  this, 
and  forget  the  biscuits.  'Tis  of  my  cooking,  so  you 
must  find  it  good. 

Garrett — Nay,  I  have  no  will  to  beg  food  of  you. 

Rose — Tut,  tut!  You  that  have  such  proud  stomachs 
deserve  to  have  empty  stomachs.    There !  [breaks  a  piece 


1 6         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

from  slice  of  bread,  nibbles  at  it)  I'll  bid  you  eat  with 
me.      Will  that  salve  your  honor? 

Garrett — I  thank  you,  mistress,  (takes  bread  and  eats) 
And  on  mine  honor,  had  I  had  such  inviting  to  my 
lively  biscuits,  I  had  found  them  ambrosia. 

Rose — Dear,  dear!      The  civil  thief!  Curtsies 

Garrett — And  the  uncivil  hostess  to  cry  thief  I 

Rose — But  you  are  no  guest  of  my  choosing. 

Garrett — Faith,  I'd  not  be  here,  though,  were  it 
not  for  you.     'Twas  right  kind  of  you  to  aid  me. 

Rose — Aid  you?  Nay,  flatter  not  yourself.  I  wished 
to  see  good  John  Margeson  run  with  his  long  legs. 
He's  stoutening  fast;  'tis  excellent  that  he  run.  And 
what  a  stitch  he  will  have  in  his  side,  poor  John ! 

Garrett — [laying  hand  oti  the  knife  in  his  belt)  An  he 
laid  hands  on  me,  he  had  had  something  sharper  than 
that  in  his  side. 

Rose — Verily,  we  are  a  great  fire-eater  —  now  that 
John  hath  run  round  the  corner! 

Garrett — (rising)   'Sdeath  !      Do  you  think  that  I  — 

Rose — Turn  all  your  anger  to  the  bread,  I  pray  you. 
Another  slice? 

Garrett — Ay. 

Rose — You  are  one  of  Weston's  men,  I  take  it  ?  Their 
ways  and  manners  are  known  to  us,  you  see. 

Garrett — Fm  bound  to  plant  at  Wessagusett,  yes. 

Rose — And  what  do  you  think  to  do  there? 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  17 

Garrett — Grow  tobacco. 

Rose — What ! 

Garrett — Why  not?     They  grow  it  in  Virginia. 

Rose — But  this  is  not  Virginia ! 

Garrett — 'Tis  all  in  America.     What  difference? 

Rose — You'll  find  a  difference  when  winter  comes. 
You'll  not  roam  about  without  your  doublet  then. 

Garrett — Faith,  but  I  think  I  will.  For  I  have  no 
doublet. 

Rose — Now  who  was  it  was  so  crack-brained  as  to 
send  the  like  of  you  to  settle  for  yourself  in  a  new 
country  ? 

Garrett — My  kinsfolk  sent  me.  What  would  you  ? 
A  younger  son,  with  no  inheritance !  My  uncle, 
Garrett  Foster,  he  for  whom  I  am  named,  he  supplied 
me  with  bare  necessaries,  and  bade  me  never  come 
trouble  him  again.  And  I  gambled  away  the  bare 
necessaries  when  we  put  in  at  Plymouth  in  Devonshire. 
And  here  I  am,  bare  indeed! 

Rose — Tut,  tut !  And  you  are  to  plant  a  colony ! 
Will  you  eat  another  slice  of  bread  ? 

Garrett — Nay,  I  could  not  eat  another  mouthful, 
not  even  of  ambrosia.      'Twas  good  bread,  though. 

Rose — Surely!  Did  I  not  say  I  made  it?  I  can  cook 
better,  spin  faster,  and  dance  longer  than  any  maid  in 
New  Plymouth. 

Garrett — Dance?  You  are  no  kin  to  the  Puritan 
captain,  I'll  wager! 


1 8         A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Rose — Captain  Standish  is  no  Puritan,  and  he  hath 
danced  in  his  day.  But  true  enough,  I  am  no  kin  to 
him.  I  am  only  gracious  to  Hve  in  his  house  because 
I  love  Mistress  Standish  and  their  cousin  Miriam. 
'Tis  a  sad  colony,  this,  Garrett  Foster.  There's  not 
much  here  to  love. 

Garrett — But  you — 

Rose — Oh,  I  came  hither  to  keep  the  house  for  my 
brother  Philippe,  but  they  said  for  that  I  was  not  old 
and  wrinkled,  I  was  not  sober  enough  to  rule  a  house- 
hold, and  I  must  bide  under  another's  household  rule. 

Garrett — Methinks  I'd  trust  you  over  a  house,  now, 
to-day ! 

Rose — Oh,  your  obliged  servant,  sir!  But  I'd  not 
trust  you  in  the  cornfield  that  lay  beside  my  house. 

Garrett — I  would  you  did  not  taunt  me  with  that. 

Rose — Have  you  not  deserved  it? 

Garrett — No!  On  my  soul,  no!  What  grows  out 
of  doors,  is't  not  for  any  man  ? 

Rose  —  Not  when  another  hath  had  sore  trouble  to 
make  it  grow.  Why,  corn  is  as  gold  in  this  bleak  new 
world  of  ours. 

Garrett — I'll  grant  you're  right,  and  'twas  a  rascally 
prank.  But  for  one  prank,  do  I  lose  the  right  of  a 
gentleman  ?  Tries  to  take  her  hand 

Rose — When  you  come  into  our  cottage  by  its  door, 
like  a  gentleman,  I'll  think  of  treating  you  as  one. 

Garrett — Why,  nothing  easier !    [steps  out  at  door  C, 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  19 

comes  in  again\  There  now,  I  claim  my  privilege.  A 
salute,  as  you  would  give  it  to  a  gentleman ! 

Rose — [dodging^   You  do  not  play  fair! 

Garrett — (chasing  her^   And  you  do  not  pay  fair! 

Rose — You  were  best  not  tarry  to  take  the  stakes. 
Captain  Standish  may  come. 

Garrett — Hang  your  Captain  Standish !  Do  you 
think  I  fear  him? 

Rose — [at  door  C)  It's  well  you  do  not,  sir.  He's 
coming  up  the  path  now. 

Garrett — (running  to  window^   The  devil! 

Rose — His  enemies  think  him  so.  Nay,  you  cannot 
go  by  the  window.      He'll  see  you. 

Garrett — [running  to  door^  The  door — 

Rose — (barring  his  way^  Oh,  no  I  How  happy  you 
do  not  fear  him  I  Now  what  will  you  tell  him  about 
that  corn  ? 

Garrett — Devil  take  the  corn !  If  he  see  me  'twill 
all  come  out ! 

Miriam  —  (without)   Rose!    Rose! 

Garrett — Curse  it!  Flings  corn  on  settle,  drops  down 
between  end  of  settle  and  fireplace ,  where  the  high  back  of 
the  settle  screens  him  from  the  sight  of  those  in  the  room 

Re-enter  Miriam  C,  followed  by  Standish,  a  well 
set-up,  soldierly  man  of  thirty-eight,  in  the  military 
dress  of  the  period,  with  a  long  cloak  over  his  arm. 

Miriam — You  have  set  all  in  order.?  Forgive  my 
lingering.  Rose.      I  had  not  guessed  it  so  late. 


20         A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Standish — Good  morrow.  Major  Rose !  Rose  takes 
the  cloak  from  Standish,  and  jiings  it  over  corner  of  settle, 
hiding  the  corn. 

Ke -enter  Barbara  Rl. 

Barbara — You  are  returned.  Miles  ?     Good  welcome ! 

Standish  —  Ay,  sweetheart,  returned,  and  none  the 
worse  except  in  temper,  and  breakfast  will  set  that 
right. 

Barbara — And  our  kind  Rose  hath  prepared  for  us 
already.  Sit  at  once.  Starts  to  fireplace.  Standish  and 
Miriam  sit  at  table. 

Rose — (intercepting  Barbara^  Nay,  you  sit  too.  Mistress 
Standish. 

Barbara — But  little  Rose,  you  are  not  to  serve  us 
always.     Suffer  me  to — 

Rose — There,  there!  Will  you  spoil  good  porridge 
by  ill  serving  ?  Sit  you  down !  Captain,  command 
her  be  seated,  else  I'll  throw  the  porridge  fair  in  the 
fire. 

Barbara — A  wilful  wench  must  have  her  way  !  Sits 
at  table. 

Re-enter  Ri  Aunt  Resolute,  conventionally  dressed. 

Aunt  Resolute — Be  the  wars  over,  nephew?  You're 
welcome  back  !  Sits  at  table 

Garrett — (to  Rose)   'Tis  vengeance  hot  here! 

Rose — (at fireplace)  If  we  may  believe  the  preachers, 
there  be  hotter  corners  yet  for  men  who  steal  their 
neighbors'  corn. 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  21 

Barbara — Rose!  Rose  crosses  and  sits  at  table,  Stan- 
dish  says  grace  in  dumb-show.  Rose  rises y  fetches  kettle 
fromjire  and  serves  porridge, 

Barbara — So  the  matter  for  which  they  called  you 
forth  still  disturbs  you,  Miles? 

Standish — Not  the  matter,  but  that  I  might  not  lay 
my  hands  on  the  workers  of  the  matter.  When  I 
came  to  the  quarters  of  those  rogues  of  Wessagusett 
men,  all  was  at  sleepy  peace — fair  white  lambs  that 
they  be !  Garrett  puts  out  his  arm,  secures  a  stool,  and 
settles  himself  more  comfortably  in  his  hiding  place y  observed 
only  by  Aunt  Resolute. 

Barbara — So  it  is  with  all  their  mischief! 

Standish — Well,  my  time  will  come  later.  The  first 
man  of  them  I  take  self-convicted  of  breaking  the  col- 
ony laws — I'll  make  an  example  of  him! 

Rose — And  what  would  you  do  to  him.  Captain? 

Standish — It  depends  on  what  the  man  had  done, 
lass.  Now,  for  instance,  if  I  come  on  one  of  the  corn 
thieves  who  are  wasting  our  fields,  I'll  have  him 
stripped  and  flogged  through  the  settlement. 

Rose  —  Do  you  mean  that  in  earnest.  Captain  ?  In 
earnest  ? 

Standish — In  sore  earnest.  The  laws  of  the  colony 
are  not  made  for  a  laughing-stock. 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  'tis  a  cruel,  harsh  punishment. 
Whipped  ?  For  a  paltry  ear  or  so  of  corn  ?  Mean  and 
cruel,  say  I ! 


22         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH -TOWN       act 

Standish — Not  cruel,  when  'tis  deserved.  A  paltry- 
ear  of  corn  ?  Every  ear  of  corn  closes  death's  open 
door  in  our  black  winters.  'Tis  better  one  stole  gold 
of  us  than  corn.      John  Margeson  says — 

Aunt  Resolute — John  Margeson! 

Standish — Ay,  he  hath  eyes,  and  his  eyes  saw  a  thief 
in  our  cornfield  but  an  hour  agone.  He  gave  chase, 
but  the  man  out-ran  him.      Now  if  I  had  that  man — 

The  people  at  table  talk  in  dumb-show 

Garrett — (to  Rose,  as  she  crosses  tojire)   Rose! 

Rose  —  Tudieu!  Did  you  not  hear  him?  Be  quiet 
and  sit  close. 

Garrett — 'Tis  cursed  hot!      My  throat  is  parched. 

Rose — Hush!     Wait!     Takes  gourd  from  end  of  fireplace 

Barbara — Come,  come,  child,  will  you  never  sit  and 
eat.? 

Rose — [fiH^  gourd  at  water  bucket)  A  moment  till  I 
weaken  the  porridge,  good  Mistress  Standish.  [gives 
gourd  to  Garrett)   There ! 

Garrett — I  thank  you  mightily.  Drinks 

Rose — [sits  at  table)  Now  you  shall  see.  I  will  eat 
thrice  as  much  as  any  for  this  delay. 

Standish — Faith,  you  attack  nobly.  Major  Rose.  'Tis 
well  we  are  going  to  fetch  fresh  stores  from  Nauset; 
you'd  exhaust  our  supply  else. 

Barbara — To  Nauset  this  day? 

Standish — If  the  wind  hold  from  the  westward,  yes. 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  23 

Rose — Ay,  'tis  still  a  western  wind  by  the  smoke. 
You  will  have  to  leave  us  so  soon  as  you  have  eaten  ? 

Standish — The  self-same  instant. 

Rose — [clapping  her  hands^   Good!   Good! 

Barbara — (indignantly^   "Good,"  sayest  thou? 

Rose — O  Mistress  Standish!  Nay,  I — I  but  meant 
'twas  good  to  see  how  brave  an  answer  he  ever  hath 
for  duty. 

Aunt  Resolute — [aside  to  Rose)  Flutter  not  too  oft 
near  a  hidden  nest.    Too  many  hunters  know  the  trick. 

Rose — O  Mistress  Story!     Thou  knowest — 

Aunt  Resolute  —  I  know  that  the  lad  hath  broad 
shoulders  and  brave  eyes.  'Tis  not  of  such  lads  I 
make  tales. 

Rose — God  bless  thee ! 

Barbara — Come  and  go,  we  never  have  sight  of  thee, 

Miles. 

Standish — Nay,  Barbara,  I —    Garrett  smothers  a  cough 

Miriam — [startled)   Oh! 

Barbara — Why,  child,  what  is  it? 

Miriam — I  thought  I  heard — 

Rose — Nay,  little  goose,  'tis  not  John  Margeson  you 
hear.  Let  me  fill  your  bowl  once  more.  Mistress 
Standish. 

Barbara — Why,  I've  not  yet  eaten — 

Rose — No  matter!  You  want  some  more — I  know 
you  want  some  more!  [runs  to  fireplace ;  speaks  aside  to 
Garrett)  Be  quiet !    Lord !    Lord !   You  must  be  quiet ! 


24         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Garrett — There's  a  draught  from  the  window  fair 
across  my  neck.     Rose,  I'll  have  to  sneeze  in  a  minute. 

Rose — Sneeze?     You  shall  not!     You  shall  die  first! 

Garrett — I  can't  help  it!     I — can't!     I — 

Rose — Quick,  then  !  Diable  !  Quick!  Garrett  sneezes 
violently.      Rose  at  same  time  makes  pantomime  of  sneezing 

Miriam — Oh,  bless  me! 

Standish  —  Good  lack,  what  a  sneeze!  'Twas  the 
sneeze  of  a  horse-trooper. 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  'tis  naught  to  worry  on.  I 
have  sneezed  that  sneeze  myself  when  I  was  young — 
Ay,  many  a  time ! 

Barbara — Why,  Rose,  child,  whence  got  you  such  a 
cold? 

Miriam — Rose,  you  did  not  wear  your  thin  shoes  to 
the  spring? 

Rose — Yes,  yes,  but  'tis  no  matter.  A  sneeze — that's 
naught.  Returns  to  table 

Barbara — You  are  so  heedless,  feather-pate. 

Standish — Nay,  you  must  not  let  yourself  fall  ill,  our 
Rose. 

Rose — Oh,  I'm  not  ill — not  ill !  {Garrett  stifles  a  cough) 
Oh !  Captain  Standish,  let  me  serve  you  more  porridge. 
[crosses  to  fireplace ;  to  Garrett)  Don't  you  dare  do  that 
again !      I'm  near  dead  of  it. 

Garrett — I'm  going  to.  I  can't  help  it.  Rose.  That 
cursed  draught — 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  25 

Rose — Well,  sneeze  then,  and  let  the  Captain  find  you, 
if  he  will ! 

Garrett — 'Tis  no  use.  I —  Garrett  sneezes  loudly 
and  Rose  pretends  to  sneeze. 

Miriam — O  my  goodness! 

Standish — Why,  why.  Major! 

Barbara — There,  'tis  enough.  That  child  must  have 
a  drink  of  bitter  herbs.  Goes  to  cupboard 

Rose — O  Mistress  Standish  !  Nay,  I  do  not  want  your 
bitter  herbs.  Comes  to  table 

Barbara — Indeed,  you  do  want  them,  if  ever  a  lass 
did.  [prepares  herbs)  And  now  after  this  remember  to 
dress  yourself  fittingly  ere  you  venture  out  in  the  damp 
and  the  dew. 

Aunt  Resolute — Ay,  bitter  herbs  oft  come  after  such 
sneezing.      I've  drunk  the  bitter  herbs  too  in  my  time. 

Rose — Did  they  cure  thee?     No? 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  time  did  that.  But  bitter 
herbs  be  wholesome. 

Miriam — (rises  and  starts  to  fireplace")  Shall  I  fetch 
the  hot  water  ? 

Rose — [Seizing  Miriam,  with  a  loud  shriek)  Oh!  Do 
not  thou  meddle  with  my  matters!  Sit  thee  down, 
Miriam!  If  I  must  drink  those  bitter  herbs,  'tis  I 
who'll  brew  them.  But  oh !  I  hate  your  herb  drink, 
Mistress  Standish.  I  will  not  take  it.  'Tis  so  bitter — 
'twill  make  me  ill  indeed!  [Barbara  starts  to  fire)  Nay, 
nay,  trouble  not  yourself!      I'll  fetch  the  hot  water,  if 


26         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

I  must,  (runs  to  fire)  But  I  do  not  want  it,  I  tell  you, 
I —  [aside  to  Garrett)  I  hear  you!  You'll  kill  us  both, 
plague  on  you ! 

Garrett  —  Fm  cursed  sorry!  Garrett  sneezes ^  and 
Rose  again  makes  pretense  of  sneezing. 

Barbara — That  settles  it!  Now  there's  no  need  to 
gainsay  me  further.  Rose,  bring  the  hot  water.  [Rose 
unwillingly  brings  the  kettle y  and  Barbara  brews  the  drink) 
There,  it  is  brewing  bravely.  Now  sit  you  down 
snugly  in  the  chimney-corner  with  me,  like  a  good  lass, 
and  drink  it  steaming  hot.       Starts  to  lead  Rose  to  settle 

Rose — Nay,  nay.  Mistress  Standish,  I  do  not  like  to  be 
cosseted  when  I  am  ill.  Take  thy  hands  from  me, 
prithee ! 

Barbara — Why,  Rose!     Sweetheart! 

Rose — O  Mistress  Standish,  I  do  love  thee,  I  do — my 
heart  on't! — but  prithee  leave  me  alone  now,  leave  me 
alone !  Sits  on  end  of  settle  nearest  to  Garrett 

Rarbara — [returning  to  table)  Miles,  I  do  fear  me  our 
poor  Rose  is  truly  ill. 

Aunt  Resolute — Wilt  never  learn  that  some  illnesses 
must  wear  themselves  out  ?     Let  the  lass  rest. 

Standish — Nay,  had  I  not  best  summon  Dr.  Fuller 
hither? 

Miriam — Let  me  run  fetch  him. 

Barbara — Nay,  stay  a  little.  Talks  with  Standish 

Rose  —  [raising  mug  to  her  lips)  Bah!  This  fearsome 
stuff!     I  abominate  it!     I  loathe  it!      [Garrett  smothers 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  27 


a  laugh)  Now  mark  me!  'Tis  you  shall  drink  it, 
Garrett  Foster.  'Tis  you  have  the  cold,  not  I.  'Tis 
you  did  the  sneezing,  when  truth's  said. 

Garrett — Poor  lass!  Give  it  me  here!  [takes  a 
swallow)    Ugh  !     'Tis  fair  devilish ! 

Rose — 'Tis  I  know  that.      Shut  your  eyes  and  drink. 

Watches  him,  not  heeding  the  others 

Standish — [rising)  Ay,  I'll  say  a  word  to  the  Doctor, 
as  I  go  down  the  hill. 

Barbara — You  must  go  forth  now,  husband? 

Standish — I  bade  the  men  await  me  at  the  landing. 
Nay,  'tis  not  for  long.  We'll  return  the  day  after 
to-morrow.  Fret  not,  sweetheart.  If  you  need  a 
man  for  aught  till  I  return,  call  on  Philippe,  remem- 
ber, and  so —  [takes  his  cloak  from  settle,  exposing  corn 
beneath)    What's  this  ?     Faith  of  a  soldier,  what's  this  ? 

Rose — [springing  up)   O  me!      We're  sped! 

Standish — Young  corn,  and  freshly  plucked?  Nay, 
Barbara,  if  we  devour  it  now,  what  shall  we  have  to 
keep  us  through  the  winter?  How  couldest  thou, 
wife  ? 

Barbara — There  is  no  one  of  our  household  plucked 
it.  Miles.  I  know  not  how  it  came  hither.  Thou 
knowest  we  would  not  pluck  the  corn. 

Miriam — Why,  sure,  'tis  witchcraft! 

Rose — Nay,  nay,  no  witchcraft,  not  in  the  least,  I 
do  assure  you.     'Twas  I  gathered  it. 

All — You  ?     Rose ! 


28         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Rose — I.  You  know  I'm  not  of  your  sober  blood. 
The  sun  of  France  warmed  mischiefs  in  me.  'Twas  a 
madcap  whim  took  me,  to  do  a  thing  forbid,  'twas — 

Aunt  Resolute — A  brave  fight,  little  Major! 

Barbara — And  is  that  the  mischief  hath  worried  you 
ill,  Rose  ?  (^starts  toward  her^   O  Rose ! 

Rose — Do  not  come  near  me! 

Standish — Faith,  I  could  not  have  believed  it  of  the 
lass !  What  set  you  to  do  such  a  thing  ?  A  thing  so 
wanton,  so  hurtful,  so — 

Rose— Oh,  I— I—  Sobs 

Garrett — (rises  and  comes  forward")  Mistress  Rose  is 
generous — and  mistaken.     She  did  not  pluck  the  corn. 

Aunt  Resolute  —  And  there  speaks  another  good 
soldier ! 

Standish — You,  is  it,  Garrett  Foster — Foster  of  Wes- 
ton's men?  Then  it's  not  far  to  look  for  the  thief 
John  Margeson  saw.  So  you  have  been  concealing 
this  fellow  and  his  plunder,  Rose  ? 

Garrett — I  frightened  her  into  concealing  me. 

Rose — Nay,  he  frightened  me  not.      I — 

Standish — You  confess  the  theft  then,  sirrah? 

Garrett — Ay.      And  now  what  next? 

Standish  —  [motioning  to  door  C)   Go  out  before  me. 

Garrett — To  the  whipping-post?      I,  a  gentleman? 

Standish — To  the  whipping-post.      Thou,  a  thief. 


1ST        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  29 

Garrett — [with  a  short  laugh)  Ay,  and  more  than 
thief  before  a  man  lays  whip  to  me !  Draws  his  knife 
and  holds  it  ready  behind  him. 

Rose — Garrett  Foster!  What  have  you  there  behind 
you  ?  Give  it  me.  I  bid  you  give  it  to  me.  For  a  mo- 
ment Garrett  looks  at  Rose^  then  he  lays  his  knife  in  her  hand 

Rose — (turning  to  Standish)  You  see.  He  trusts  me. 
He  is  an  unarmed  man,  and  he  has  eaten  of  my  bread. 
I'll  not  have  him  whipped — do  you  hear.  Captain  of 
Plymouth.?  He  shall  not  suffer  a  thief's  shame  for  a 
boy's  prank — he  who  has  eaten  of  my  bread ! 

Barbara — Miles,  I  beg  of  you.  Miles!  Mayhap  the 
lad  was  hungry,  mayhap — 

Standish  —  Hungry.?  [Looks  at  Garrett^  with  some 
amusement)   Verily,  he  hath  a  starved  look ! 

Aunt  Resolute — Do  none  steal  save  from  hunger.? 
I  trapped  thee  in  my  apple  orchard  once  on  a  time. 
Captain  of  Plymouth ! 

Barbara — In  pity.  Miles,  do  not  deal  too  harshly — 

Rose — 'Tis  I  will  be  whipped,  if  any's  whipped.     And 

I'll  not  be  whipped  while  I've  Garrett  Foster's  knife ! 

Thrusts  it  out  toward  Standish y  handle  foremost 

Standish  —  [laughing  in  spite  of  himself)  Thou  art 
terrible!  [takes  knife  frotn  her)  Well,  Garrett  Foster, 
your  skin  is  saved  for  the  present. 

Garrett — Gramercy  for  that,  Captain!  I'm  long 
your  debtor.  Starts  for  door 

Standish — Nay,  you  part  not  so  easily.  Your  judg- 
ment's yet  to  be  spoke;   now  hear  it  ere  you  part.      Sit 


30 


A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN 


you  down,  yonder  on  the  settle.  (Garrett  sits  unwil- 
lingly) Now,  Mistress  Rose,  sit  you  down  there !  Sit 
you  down!  [Rose  sits  beside  Garrett)  Now,  Mistress 
Rose,  for  the  part  you  had  in  this  roguery,  you  may 
husk  and  roast  that  pile  of  corn,  and  you,  Garrett 
Foster,  for  your  part,  will  not  stir  from  that  spot  till 
you  have  eaten  it — ay,  every  jot ! 

Garrett — All  of  it  ?     Lord !      All  of  it  ? 

Standish — To  the  last  kernel. 

Garrett — I've  just  eaten  one  breakfast. 

Standish — So  much  the  unluckier  for  your  stomach. 
That,  or —  Points  to  door 

Garrett — I  take  it,  I  can  eat  it. 

Standish — I  take  it  you  can.  Turns  away  to  door 

Rose  —  Corn's  no  bad  change  from  porridge  —  and 
you  robbed  me  of  my  breakfast.  You  may  count  on  me 
for  an  ear  or  twain.      Rose  and  Garrett  begin  to  husk  corn 

Barbara — I  thank  you  that  you  did  spare  him.  Miles. 

Standish — 'Tis  a  knave  unwhipped  that  deserves  to  be. 
But  I'd  pardon  a  worse  than  he  for  your  sake,  wench. 

Exeunt  Standish  and  Barbara  C,  Miriam  and  Aunt 
Resolute  R. 

Rose — If  you  be  not  sick  of  the  taste  of  roasted  corn 
soon !      Yet  I  have  heard  that  stolen  fruit — 

Garrett — It's  true  enough.  Stolen  fruit  is — [he  takes 
her  handy  as  it  rests  on  the  edge  of  the  settle y  and  suddefily 
kisses  it)  'Tis  monstrous  sweet ! 

CURTAIN 


Act  11 


A  Maid's  Toys 


A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         31 


ACT  11 

Scene:— THE  DOORTARD  OF  CAPTAIN  STAN- 
DISH'S  COTTAGE.  At  L  the  rude  porch  of  the  cot- 
tage, with  a  door  opening  into  the  house.  At  R  an  old 
tree  stump.  The  tall  trees,  with  their  red  or  russet  autumn 
foliage,  grow  up  to  the  edge  of  the  dooryard.  At  back, 
through  an  opening  in  the  trees,  can  be  seen  the  fields,  with 
the  shocks  of  corn,  the  harbor,  and  the  distant  headlands. 
The  golden  autumn  light  lies  on  all  the  fields  and  the  wood- 
land, and  the  leaves  are  falling  softly. 

At  rise  of  curtain,  Standish  sits  reading  in  a  great  chair 
upon  the  porch.  Barbara  sits  near  by,  spinning  at  her 
wheel. 


32         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH -TOWN       act 

Barbara — ( singing ) 

Now  my  love  is  roving  gone, 
Welladay,  welladay ! 
Which  makes  me  sigh  and  moan. 
Evermore  still ! 

Standish — Barbara !    {after  a  moment)   Barbara ! 

Barbara — What  is  it,  Miles? 

Standish  —  Hath  Garrett  Foster  fetched  in  those 
pumpkins? 

Barbara — Pumpkins,  Miles?  What  hast  thou  to  do 
therewith?  Verily,  I  thought  thee  leagues  hence  with 
thy  famous  Julius  Caesar. 

Standish — May  I  not  have  a  respect  for  the  great 
Roman,  and  yet  have  a  weakness  for  pumpkin  sauce? 

Barbara — For  your  comfort  then — the  pumpkins  are 
safely  housed!    [sings) 

Now  must  I  weep  in  woe, 
Now  must  I  mourning  go. 
No  comfort  will  I  know, 
Since  my  dear's  away  ! 
Miles ! 

Standish — Yes,  Barbara.     What  wouldest  thou? 

Barbara — How  much  longer  is  Garrett  Foster  to  bide 
at  Plymouth? 

Standish — It  would  seem,  Barbara,  till  Garrett  Foster 
is  pleased  to  take  himself  hence. 

Barbara — Weston's  sick  men  whom  we  kept  here  to 
nurse,  sail  away  this  afternoon  to  their  own  colony  at 
Wessagusett,  is  it  not  so  ? 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  33 

Standish — And  'tis  your  wish  that  Garrett  sail  with 
them? 

Barbara — There  is  no  reason  that  a  lusty  youth  such 
as  he  should  tarry  here  longer  upon  any  score  of  sickness. 

Standish — So  you  hold  those  rakeshames  at  Wessa- 
gusett  good  playfellows  for  a  lusty  youth  ?  Eh,  Barbara  ? 

Barbara — Since  you'll  have  all  my  mind — I  hold 
Garrett  Foster  not  a  fit  playfellow  for  our  Rose. 

Standish — Rose,  eh?     So  you  think — 

Barbara — I  think,  for  all  I  am  angered  with  Rose 
that  she  doth  so  conduct  her  toward  John  Margeson 
and  Miriam,  still  I  do  think  she  is  at  heart  too  good  a 
lass  for  such  a  rapscallion  as  Garrett  Foster. 

Standish — Tut,  tut!  There's  no  harm  in  Garrett. 
Hath  he  not  labored  faithfully  amongst  us  these 
months?  And  he  handles  sword  and  musket  as  tidily 
as  any  man  in  the  colony — better  by  far  than  your 
worthy  John  Margeson.  A  good  lad,  with  red  blood 
in  him ! 

Barbara — But  no  good  lad  for  Rose ! 

Standish — But,  Bab —  Rises 

Barbara — Nay,  I  say!   [sings^ 

Now  the  daylight  fair  is  gone, 
Lullaby,  lullaby  I 

And  the  dark  comes  creeping  on — 
Are  you  not  of  my  mind.  Miles  ? 

Standish — I  must  e'en  make  myself  of  thy  mind,  I 
take   it,    if   I'm    to   have    peace    in    my    own    house! 


34         A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Though  I'll  tell  thee  again,  I  have  a  rare  liking  for 
Garrett.  Something  of  a  dare-devil,  the  lad  may  be, 
but  I  tell  thee  the  dare-devils  make  the  best  soldiers 
and  the  best  seamen — 

Barbara — And  the  best  husbands,  Miles?     Eh,  then? 

Standish — How  guessed  you  that.  Puss? 

Barbara — I  guessed  it  not.    I  know  it — by  experience. 

Standish — Do  you,  you  witch  ?  And  will  you  shut 
our  Rose  from  this  same  blissful  experience?  What 
am  I  to  read  in  that? 

Barbara — This,  Miles:  it  taketh  a  discreet  woman 
to  live  at  peace  with  a  dare-devil. 

Standish — On  my  soul,  you  shall  pay  me  for  that 
self-praise !  Kisses  her 

Enter  from  the  wood  Philippe^  carrying  two  rapiers. 

Philippe — Pardon  me.  Captain  Standish.  Do  I  come 
amiss  ? 

Standish — Amiss?  What  should  make  you  think  so? 
May  not  a  man  kiss  his  wife,  so  it  be  not  the  Sabbath  ? 

Philippe — Nay,  nay,  I  — 

Barbara — Were  you  seeking  Rose,  Philippe?  She 
hath  gone  forth  with  Garrett  to  gather  nuts. 

Philippe — To  be  sure,  yes,  I  was  seeking  Rose.  Did 
— did  Miriam  Chillingsley  go  with  her? 

Barbara — Nay,  Miriam  kept  the  house. 

Philippe — She  is  not  ill,  good  Mistress  Standish? 

Barbara — 111?     Oh,  no!      Sit  you  down,  Philippe. 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  35 

Philippe — Yea,  an  I  may.      I'll  wait  till  Rose  comes. 

Sits  on  stump,  polishes  rapiers 

Standish — Thou'rt  a  good  lad,  Philippe.  'Tis  seldom 
I  have  seen  a  youth  more  devoted  to  his  sister. 

Enter  from  wood  Aunt  Resolute,  leaning  on  a  staff. 

Aunt  Resolute — Devoted  to  his  sister?  To  his  sis- 
ter ?  Ay,  ay,  surely !  What  else  should  bring  our 
Philippe  hither  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  but  devotion  to 
his  sister? 

Exit  Standish  into  wood,  laughing. 

Yet  of  late,  he  hath  been  so  often  at  our  door,  a  sus- 
picion is  on  me,  he  cometh  not  alw^ays  to  see  his  sister, 
but  to  see — 

Philippe — {in  alarm)   Mistress  Story! 

Aunt  Resolute  —  Nay,  'tis  time  thou  wert  told  it, 
plump  and  fair — there's  no  hope  for  thee,  lad !  There's 
no  hope  for  thee! 

Philippe — {in  agony)   Mistress  Story! 

Aunt  Resolute— -No  hope,  I  tell  thee,  no !  Youth- 
ful as  is  my  seeming,  I  have  laid  past  such  vanities  as 
wooing  and  wedding  more  years  than  one. 

Philippe — {utterly  amazed)    Mistress  Story! 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  was  it  not  a-wooing  to  me 
that  thou  camest  hither  so  oft,  Philippe? 

Philippe  —  Mistress  Story!     O  Lord!     You — I — O, 

Mistress  Story ! 

Aunt  Resolute — Not  I?  Well,  well,  how  even  a 
woman  of  some  experience  may  misread  a  youth.     Not 


36         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

I,  eh?  [Philippe  shakes  his  heady  smiling  bashfully  yet 
mischievously)  Well,  mayhap  'twere  best.  For  I  take  it 
a  marriage  with  such  disparity  in  years  as  ours  would 
set  all  tongues  a-wagging,  even  in  Plymouth — ay,  even 
in  Plymouth! 

Philippe — (with  relief)  Mistress  Story !   Kisses  her  hand 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  nay!      Not  before  others! 

Barbara — You  are  returned,  good  Aunt?  And  you 
enjoyed  your  walk  in  the  forest?  Sure,  there  never 
was  a  kinder  day ! 

Aunt  Resolute — Enjoy?  Enjoy?  Good  lack,  I  went 
not  forth  to  seek  enjoyment !  There  be  but  two  things 
to  do  in  this  forsaken  spot:  sleep  snug  in  your  bed,  or 
wake  to  be  frightened  nigh  to  death.  I  have  slept  my 
fill,  and  now  I  have  been  forth  to  take  my  daily  fright- 
ing— and  fright  I  found  a  plenty !  Scarce  set  I  forth, 
when  behind  a  great  oak  tree — 

Barbara — Well  ? 

Aunt  Resolute — I  heard  the  rustle  of  an  Indian's 
foot. 

Barbara — [excitedly)   An  Indian! 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  calm  thee,  good  niece,  calm 
thee !  Methought  'twas  an  Indian,  but  when  I  did 
draw  more  close  I  saw  'twas  naught  but  a  chattering 
jackanapes  of  a  squirrel.  [Philippe  laughs y  Barbara  is 
much  relieved )  Next  as  I  strolled  on,  but  new  recovered 
from  that  terror,  I  heard  a  roaring,  a  most  fearsome 
roaring,  and  a  crashing  in  the  thicket — 

Philippe — A  crash?    A  roaring;? 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  37 

Aunt  Resolute — Ay. 

Philippe — What  roared? 

Aunt  Resolute — What  but  that  son  of  Satan,  the 
Governor's  new  bull  calf?  Ay,  ay,  I've  had  rare  enjoy- 
ment in  my  walk  abroad!  A  toad  under  every  flower 
that  I  stooped  to  pick,  a  snake  under  every  leaf — 

Philippe — [polishing  rapier^  speaks  as  if  to  himself)  A 
snake?  And  under  every  leaf?  Ay,  verily,  last  night 
the  Captain's  brandy  posset  was  uncommon  strong! 
[Aunt  Resolute  starts  toward  him  with  staff  uplifted  to 
strike)  Back  !  What  is  that  moving  under  yonder  leaf? 
[Aunt  Resolute  shrieks  and  beats  at  the  leaf)  Nay,  'twas 
but  the  wind  that  stirred  the  leaf!  Oh,  that  posset, 
that  posset! 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  I'll  bide  here  no  longer  to  be 
baited  by  a  saucy  fledgling.     Sits  on  porch,  fanning  herself 

Enter  from  the  house  Miriam,  who  is  knitting  at  a 
stocking. 

Miriam — Have  they  not  yet  returned.  Mistress  Stan- 
dish  ? 

Aunt  Resolute — They? 

Miriam — Why,  Rose  and  Garrett.  Are  they  not 
returned  ? 

Barbara — As  you  see.      But  Philippe — 

Miriam — [carelessly)  Ah,  good  morrow,  Philippe,  [to 
Barbara)   I  have  dropped  this  troublesome  stitch. 

Barbara — Give  it  me.  Takes  knitting,  re-adjusts  it 

Re-enter  Standish,  and  stands  watching  Philippe. 


38  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Miriam — I  wanted  so  to  knit  out  this  ball  of  yarn  ere 
they  come.  Rose  and  Garrett  and — and  John  Marge- 
son  are  coming  to  crack  nuts  this  afternoon,  you  under- 
stand. 

Philippe — Am  not  I  bidden  too,  Miriam? 

Miriam  —  [carelessly^   Oh,  yes  !  Knits 

Standish — A  merry-making,  is  it  ?  Then  Julius  Cssar 
and  I  were  best  betake  ourselves  to  quiet.  You  have 
polished  my  rapiers  as  I  bade  thee,  lad  ? 

Philippe — Ay,  sir,  I  trust  they're  bright  to  your  mind. 
Yet  I  would  work  a  breath  longer  at  this  rust-spot  ere 
I  bring  them  in.  'Tis  vengeance  slow  to  clear,  this 
rust-spot. 

Standish — 'Twas  vengeance  hard  to  win,  that  rust- 
spot!  He  was  a  rare  swordsman  from  whom  I  won 
that  rust-spot. 

Miriam — Captain!      You  do  not  mean  that  you — 

Standish  —  I  mean  —  Nay,  there  be  tales  not  for  a 
maid's  hearing.  See  that  you  clear  me  the  rust-spot, 
Phil. 

Kxit  Standish  into  house. 

Philippe — [goes  to  Miriam  at  L)  See  how  you  drive 
the  Captain  hence,  Miriam.  Methinks  you  be  some- 
what bitter  unto  all  men,  save  to  John  Margeson. 

Miriam — Nay,  how  am  I  so?  Pray  you,  Philippe, 
you  are  standing  in  my  light. 

Philippe — (^moving  aside^   I  pray  you,  pardon  me. 

Enter  Rose,  running y  from  wood. 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  39 

Rose  —  [calling  over  her  shoulder^  Ah,  sluggard!  I 
wagered  I'd  beat  you  to  the  house! 

Enter  Garrett y  with  bag  of  nuts. 

Garrett — I  ran  weighted,  Rose. 

Rose — Not  heavily  weighted,  [takes  bag,  turns  to  others) 
Look  on  this,  and  be  pitiful.      All  the  nuts  we  could 
find!     [Philippe  drops  rapiers  on  ground  and  takes  bag  of 
nuts)      And   we    searched    to  very  weariness,   and   O, 
Philippe,  Garrett  fell  from  the  top  of  a  tree. 

Barbara — You  suffered  no  hurt,  I  trust? 

Garrett — Not  to  my  skin,  mistress — that  is  indif- 
ferent thick. 

Aunt  Resolute — But  so  is  not  the  sleeve  of  Philippe's 
second-best  doublet,  alack  and  alas !  Points  at  Garrett 
with  her  staff.      Garrett  puts  his  left  arm  behind  him. 

Rose — [going  to  Garrett)  Villain!  Let  me  see!  (seizes 
his  arm.  A  long  tear  in  the  sleeve  is  disclosed)  You  did 
not  tell  me! 

Garrett — I  thought  it  best  to  break  the  news  to  you 
slowly  and  gently. 

Philippe — Why,  'tis  no  great  matter,  Garrett.  Rose 
can  sew  it  up  in  the  winking  of  an  eye. 

Rose — If  Rose  chooses,  yes. 

Garrett — Then  pray  you,  choose. 

Rose — Do  you  deserve  so  much  of  me.? 

Garrett — As  much — and  much  more. 

Rose — Saucebox !  Pose  sits  on  stump,  Garrett  kneels  by 
her,  and  she  mends  his  sleeve. 


40         A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Philippe — [examining  nuts)  There'll  be  a  plenty  when 
all's  said,  you  see. 

Miriam  —  And  John  Margeson  promised  to  bring 
more. 

Aunt  Resolute — And  is  it  sure  that  John  Margeson 
comes  ? 

Miriam — Ay,  so  he  promised. 

Aunt  Resolute — And  speedily? 

Miriam — At  any  moment  now. 

Aunt  Resolute — Then  I  bid  you  all  a  fair  good  day  ! 

Exit  Aunt  Resolute  into  house. 

Miriam — I  must  knit  out  this  ball  of  yarn  ere  they 
come. 

Philippe — They  ? 

Miriam — Why,  John  is  not  yet  here. 

Philippe — I  know. 

Miriam — Look  forth  to  the  forest,  I  pray  you,  and 
see  if  he  is  coming. 

Philippe — I  will. 

Exit  Philippe  into  wood. 

Barbara — Miriam!  If  Philippe,  for  all  he  is  but  a 
lad,  if  it  chanced — Say  that  he  had  a  liking  for  you, 
that  was  bitter  cruel  of  you. 

Miriam  —  Philippe?  Why  Philippe  is  even  as  a 
brother  unto  me. 

Barbara — "As  a  brother!"  'Tis  a  world-wide  word, 
that  "as!" 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  41 


Garrett — (to  Rose)  I  wonder  who  'tis  will  mend  my 
clothes  at  Wessagusett.      I  shall  miss  you,  Rose. 

Rose — Wonder,  too,  who  will  lend  you  clothes  to 
mend,  Garrett  Foster!   You'll  miss  my  brother  Philippe. 

Garrett — I  shall  miss  you  both,  and  sorely. 

Rose — The  boat  sails  this  afternoon  for  Wessagusett, 

doth  it  not? 

Garrett — Yes. 

Rose — And  you  sail  in  her? 

Garrett — That's  what  I  wait  to  know. 

Rose — To  know? 

Garrett — I  have  spoke  with  the  Governor  and  the 
Captain.  They  say  if  I  live  soberly  as  I  have  lived 
since — since  I  knew  you.  Rose,  they  will  allot  me  a 
strip  of  land  and  I  can  settle  here.  But  it  rests  with 
you  to  say  if  I  shall.      You  know  what  I  mean. 

Rose — I  know. 

Re-enter  Philippe. 

Philippe — Nay,  Miriam,  I  see  naught  of  John. 

Miriam — Let  him  come  now.  My  morning's  stent 
is  knit  out.  [rises)  Where  shall  I  find  more  yarn.  Mis- 
tress Standish? 

Barbara — (rising)   I'll  find  it  for  you. 

Miriam — And  you,  Philippe,  will  you  begin  to  crack 
the  nuts? 

Exeunt  Barbara  and  Miriam  into  bouse. 

Philippe  kneels  on  ground  at  L  and  cracks  nuts 


42  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

Garrett — [to  Rose)  An't  please  you,  you  are  sewing 
my  sleeve  down  on  my  shirt-sleeve. 

Rose — I  care  not.    (breaks  thread)   'Tis  done  now. 

Garrett — Nay,  'tis  not  done  yet.  You  are  to  answer 
me.   [confidently)   'Tis  not  done ! 

Rose — There,  then !  [sticks  needle  into  his  arm,  rises) 
Is't  done  now  ? 

Garrett — A  pest  on  your  mischief! 

Philippe — Rose,  what  mischief  are  you  doing? 

Rose — Oh,  naught.      Just  setting  finish  to  my  work. 

Garrett — [following  her  to  porch)  Is  that  my  answer  ? 
Is't  so  you  set  sharp  finish  to  your  work  ? 

Rose — [at  house-door)  That's  one  answer.  And  here's 
another !  Throws  him  a  kiss.  Garrett  starts  forward  to 
seize  Rose.     She  darts  into  house  and  closes  door  behind  her 

Garrett — [in  high  spirits)  The  last  law  repeals  those 
that  went  before  it,  and  the  last  answer — hey,  Philippe  ? 
[strips  off  his  coat^  sits  by  Philippe  on  ground)  What  do 
you  there,  little  brother.?     At  your  devotions? 

Philippe — Maybe,  yes. 

Garrett — Who  is  the  saint? 

Philippe — Tell  me  now,  Garrett  Foster,  did  you  ever 
love  a  woman  ? 

Garrett — A  dozen  of  'em  ! 

Philippe — Nay,  now,  you're  playing  the  fool.  And 
I  spoke  in  earnest. 

Garrett — I'm  in  no  mood  for  earnest  answers  to-day, 
Philippe. 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  43 

Philippe — I'm  sorry.      I  sought  your  counsel. 

Garrett — My  counsel?  A  staid  fellow  like  you  ask 
counsel  of  me  ?  Faith,  'tis  a  red-letter  day  !  And  you 
want  instruction  in  the  Art  of  Love  ? 

Philippe — Say  a  man  hath  an  affection — 

Garrett — Nay,  say  Philippe  de  la  Noye  consumes 
with  love ! 

Philippe — For  a  certain  woman — 

Garrett — Say,  Miriam  Chillingsley  ! 

Philippe — How  did  you  guess  ? 

Garrett — I'm  neither  bat  nor  mole. 

Philippe  —  But  none  of  the  others,  not  even  John 
Margeson,  suspects — 

Garrett — Pest  on  your  Margeson  !  He'd  never  sus- 
pect aught.  It  argues  brains  —  this  suspecting.  So 
you  love  her,  Phil.? 

Philippe — Ay. 

Garrett — Then  tell  her  so. 

Philippe — Why,  she'd  rebuff  me. 

Garrett — How  do  you  know? 

Philippe — I  can  guess. 

Garrett — In  any  case,  'twould  be  civil  to  give  the 
lady  opportunity  to  speak  her  mind. 

Philippe — How  would  you  go  about  to  tell  her? 
Garrett — Why,  thus.      Come  hither!     (takes  Phil- 
ippe^ s  hand^   Miriam,  my  sweetheart — 
Philippe — Deuce  take  it,  man!     Let  go  my  hand! 


44         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Garrett — True,  she  might  speak  thus,  were  she  coy, 
but,  by  the  Lord,  Phil,  Miriam  hath  no  such  hand-grip 
as  thine !  Be  quiet  now.  Here's  more  instruction. 
I  would  go  on  about  as  thus:  You  know  that  I  love 
you,  lass,  else  you've  no  eyes;  and  I  know  that  you 
have  an  inclination  unto  me — 

Philippe — Yes,  but  I  don't  know! 

Garrett — Hold  your  tongue!  You're  to  speak  only 
when  Miriam  would  speak.  That  you  have  an  incli- 
nation unto  me.  Then  come,  clap  hands  and  a  bar- 
gain!    And  a  kiss  thereupon! 

Philippe — (throwing  him  off)  Hold,  hold!  On  your 
honor,  would  you  go  about  so  to  woo  a  maid? 

Re-enter  Rose  and  pauses  in  door-way  y  unobserved. 

Garrett — [rising)  Faith,  yes!  For,  mark  me,  Phil- 
ippe, 'tis  the  only  way.  Plague  of  your  mewling, 
pining  lovers,  say  I !  The  wenches  like  to  be  carried 
by  storm.  Knock  at  the  door,  hat  in  hand,  and  you 
may  cool  your  heels  on  the  door-stone  four  hours 
together.  But  up  with  your  knee  and  burst  in  the 
door  boldly,  and — 

Philippe — Did  you  ever  woo  a  maid  in  just  that  way, 
Garrett  ? 

Garrett — To  be  sure,  yes,  half  a  score  of  them  ! 

Rose — [coming  forward)  How  many  of  the  half  score 
did  accept  you,  Garrett  ? 

Garrett — [dumbfounded)   Rose,  you — 

Rose — The  Captain  would  speak  unto  you,  Philippe. 

Exit  Philippe  into  house. 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN         45 

Garrett — (trying  to  appear  at  ease^  You  come  in  a 
good  time.  Rose. 

Rose — Good  time  for  you  or  for  me?  (^Garrett  starts 
toward  her^  Nay,  now,  I  must  turn  my  hand  to  the 
wheel,  [sits  at  wheel)  So  you  sail  this  afternoon  for 
Wessagusett? 

Garrett — Do  I  ? 

Rose — What  know  I?  I  but  know  'tis  a  fair  day  for 
a  journey. 

Garrett — You  were  in  a  different  mood  when  you 
went  hence. 

Rose — Or  I  mistake,  or  so  were  you. 

Garrett  —  Are  you  angry  because  of  those  foolish 
brags  I  was  vaporing  to  Philippe  ? 

Rose — So  you  do  acknowledge  at  last  that  you  are  a 
braggart?  Oh,  the  good,  humble  youth!  Tut,  tut! 
Never  thrust  out  your  lip  like  that,  Garrett.  It 
becomes  you  very  ill. 

Garrett — You  might  spare  jesting.  Rose,  [goes  toward 
her)   You  know  that  I — 

Rose — [putting  wheel  between  them)  I'd  best  be  prepared 
if  you  go  about  to  up  with  your  knee  and  burst  in  the 
door  boldly. 

Garrett — [angrily)   The  devil!  Sits  on  stump  R 

Rose — Truly,  a  proper  patron  saint  for  your  fearsome 
style  of  wooing.  Begin  now !  I'm  fortified !  [after  a 
moment y  sings) 

And  now  you're  sulking,  sulking,  sulking, 
And  now  you're  sulking,  my  good  man ! 


46  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH -TOWN       act 

Garrett — You  call  for  music,  mistress?    Listen,  then! 

"Shall  a  woman's  virtues  move 
Me  to  perish  for  her  love? 
Or  her  well  deservings  known, 
Make  me  quite  forget  mine  own?" 

Rose — Rarely  sung,  Garrett!  Only  you  flatted  that 
last  note.  You'd  best  sing  it  again  till  you  be  perfect. 
Come,  again  !      Again  ! 

Garrett — (crosses  to  her,  sings) 

"If  she  slight  me  when  I  woo, 
I  can  scorn  and  let  her  go. 
If  she  be  not  fit  for  me, 
What  care  I  for  whom  she  be?" 

Enter  'John  from  wood,  with  several  ears  of  corn. 
John — Give  you  good  day! 

Rose — Oh,  you  are  come  at  last  ?  [runs  to  hini^  Nay, 
fling  by  your  hat,  and  be  you  welcome !  Such  dull 
company  as  I  am  pining  in!  Nay,  I'm  your  servant 
ever  for  this  release. 

John — I  scarce  dared  hope  for  such  a  welcome,  Rose. 
Give  you  good  day,  Foster. 

Garrett — (^shortly)  Good  day,  sir.  ^its  sulkily  on  step 
of  porch. 

Rose — Fie,  fie!  Where  are  your  manners,  Garrett? 
John,  have  you  brought  the  nuts  you  promised  ? 

John — Nay,  something  better  than  that.  Look  you, 
'tis  a  kind  of  corn  I  got  of  the  Indians.  If  you  fry  it, 
'twill  turn  white  and  be  most  dainty  to  eat. 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         47 

Rose — Truly?  Thou  art  a  rare  lad,  John!  Here, 
Philippe,  quickly ! 

Re-enter  Philippe. 

Wood,  and  a  spark  to't !  I'll  run  within  for  the  skillet. 
Philippe  gathers  loose  twigs  and  makes  a  little  jire  at  R. 

John — Come,  Foster,  for  all  the  corn  be  mine,  will 
you  not  at  least  look  thereon? 

Garrett — No. 

Rose — I  prithee,  speak  not  of  corn  to  Garrett.  Since 
last  August  it  hath  been  a  tender  subject  with  him. 

Exit  Rose^  laughing^  into  house. 

John — (laughing^    I  wonder  not,  in  truth! 

Garrett — Do  you  mind,  Margeson,  there  be  some 
tendernesses  'tis  best  not  to  touch  with  a  rude  hand — 
lest  tenderness  turn  tough ! 

John — And  what  tenderness  of  thine  am  I  to  keep 
hands  off,  Garrett  Foster?  Thy  tenderness  for  corn, 
or  thy  tenderness  for — Roses? 

Garrett — Keep  a  maid's  name  from  men's  quarrels, 
you — 

Philippe — Peace,  you  firebrands!  Will  you  turn  the 
autumn  woods  redder  still  ?  Peace !  The  maids  are 
here. 

Re-enter  Rose,  who  carries  a  long-handled  skillet,  and 

Miriam,  with  a  skein  of  yarn. 

Rose — Who  cried  "quarrel"?  Sure,  one  cried  "quar- 
rel" as  we  came!  A  rare  hour  to  quarrel,  with  such 
toys  at  hand  to  say  whose  quarrel's  right !  Points  to  rapiers 


48 


A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 


Miriam — Ah,  Rose,  a  wicked  jest!  Good  day  unto 
you,  John.      What  hold  you  there? 

Rose — Nay,  bear  him  the  skillet,  and  he  will  show 
thee  magic  with  what  he  holds. 

Miriam — I  may  help  you,  John? 

John — Nay,  let  me  not  break  your  labor  with  the  yarn 
you  carry.  'Twas  Rose  that  promised.  Miriam  sighs 
and  turns  away.  'John  goes  to  JirCy  gives  skillet  to  Philippe 
to  holdy  and  shells  corn  into  it.  Garrett  rises  and  goes 
quickly  to  Rose. 

Garrett — Rose ! 

Rose — i^back  to  him^   Um-m  ! 

Garrett — In  an  hour  they  hoist  sail  for  Wessagusett. 
And  I  wait  your  answer. 

Rose — Still  waiting  that  answer?  I  thought  you  gave 
me  mine  long  since,  that  song — 

Garrett — I  was  angered.  I  meant  it  not.  Ah,  Rose, 
sweetheart,  I  meant  it  not. 

Rose — If  I  meant  it  not,  I  would  not  sing  that  song. 
'Tis  scarce  a  pretty  song. 

Garrett — If  you  like  it  not,  I  will  forget  it  and  for- 
ever.     You  see,  I  am  obedient. 

Rose — Miriam,  suffer  Garrett  hold  that  yarn  for  you 
since  he  desires  it. 

Garrett — But  I — 

Rose — Let  me  see  if  you  be  so  obedient. 

Miriam — Here,  Garrett,  if  you  will.  Sits  on  porch 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN  49 

Garrett — (bitterly^  It  gladdens  my  heart  to  serve 
you.  Sits  near  Miriam,  holds  yarn  for  her  to  wind 

Rose — How  speed  you  there,  John?        Saunters  to  jire 

John — The  better  for  your  coming!  Rises,  the  ear  of 
corn  in  his  hand. 

Rose — La,  la!  What  a  clumsy  compliment  you  make 
me  there !  And  old — so  old  as  Methuselah,  the  father 
of  lies. 

John — Nay,  the  Scriptures  tell  us — 

Rose  —  Oh  I  Then  was  he  not  the  father  of  lies? 
[Looks  toward  Garrett,  Garrett  has  turned  his  back  toward 
Rose,  and  is  making  pretense  of  interested  chat  with  Miriam^ 
Still,  some  one  must  have  fathered  them,  for  in  the 
world  there  be  lies  a  plenty ! 

Miriam — (laughing)  O,  Garrett!  What  a  droll  tale 
you  tell !      I  ne'er  knew  you  merrier, 

Garrett — (boisterously)  Why,  mistress,  'tis  an  after- 
noon for  merry-making ! 

Rose — (turns  to  fohn,  with  hysterical  simulation  of  merri- 
ment) Look  you  how  busy  they  be,  Miriam  and  Gar- 
rett, and  so  happy !  Do  not  your  Scriptures  say,  'tis 
labor  brings  contentment,  eh,  John  Margeson  ?  Let  us 
not  be  idle,  then.      Give  me  hither  that  ear  of  corn. 

John — Nay,  'tis  too  harsh  and  stubborn  work  for  your 
little  tender  hands.      Holds  the  ear  of  corn  above  his  head 

Rose — Ah,  vaurienl  Reaches  for  the  ear  which  fohn 
holds,  A  laughing  struggle  between  them.  Garrett  watches 
Rose  and  fohn,  frowning  and  wincing  at  the  sight. 


so         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

Rose  —  Nay,  but  I  will!  Oh,  giant  that  you  are! 
Give  it  me,  I  say  !  Philippe !  Ungenerous,  why  will 
you  not  help?  Ah,  but  I  will  have  it!  Voila!  (waves 
ear  of  corn  triumphantly)  Now  shall  you  see  !  (tries  to 
shell  corn  with  her  fingers)      Oh !      'Tis  of  a  toughness ! 

Sits  on  stump 
John — Let  me — 

Rose — Nay,  let  be!  Give  me  your  knife  hither,  Phil- 
ippe !     Your  knife,  I  say ! 

Philippe  —  [hands  her  his  knifes  in  a  warning  voice) 
Have  a  care,  sister !  Keen-edged  tools,  they  are  not 
pretty  toys  for  a  maid  to  sport  with — nor  always  are 
they  safe.      I  warn  you  !      Have  a  care ! 

Rose — (aside  to  him)  Safe!  What  care  I  now  for 
safety?  What  care  I  now  for  aught  dull — or  honest 
— this  afternoon  of — merry-making?  (Garrett  still  pre- 
tends to  be  busied  with  Miriam)  Behold  me  now,  good 
John  !  All  armed  to  the  encounter !  Starts  to  cut  corn 
from  cob. 

John — A  fair  warrior,  in  good  truth! 

Rose — (watching  Garrett)  Ah,  think  you  so,  John? 
(cuts  unheedingly  and  wounds  her  hand)    Oh  ! 

Garrett — Rose!  Starts  to  her 

Philippe — I  warned  you!      Rose! 

Rose — (piteously)   My  hand  doth  bleed! 

Miriam — Oh!  The  sight  of  blood  !  Halffaint^  she 
clings  to  Garrett y  holding  him  back  from  Rose. 

Garrett — Rose,  let  me  look — 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  51 

Rose  —  (^looks  at  Garrett^  standmg  beside  Miriam ^  then 
deliberately  holds  out  her  hurt  hand  to  yohn)  Nay,  Garrett, 
Miriam  doth  need  your  kindness !  I  pray  you,  dear 
John,  bind  up  the  hurt  for  me.  Garrett  turns  and  goes 
slowly  toward  the  porch,  where  he  stands  snapping  a  twig 
between  his  fingers,  his  eyes  on  the  ground. 

Miriam  —  (^amazed  and  reproachful^  O,  Rose!  What 
is  it  that  you  do  ? 

Rose — (to  John)   'Tis  not  a  deep  hurt? 

Philippe — Naught  is  yet  hurt  that  cannot  heal.  But 
hurt  no  more ! 

John — Leave  it  to  me,  Philippe!  [Binds  up  Rose's 
hand)    You  trust  your  hand  unto  me.  Rose? 

Rose — [curtly)   Yea,  I  trust  you — with  my  finger-tips! 

Miriam  —  [going  to  porch)   Garrett!    Touches  his  shoulder 

Garrett — [roughly)   Have  done  ! 

Miriam  —  I  pray  you — we  two,  we  are  but  sorry 
spoil-sports  here —    [half  crying)    I  pray  you,  come  in! 

Garrett — Ay,  'tis  the  harder  for  you,  little  wench ! 
For  I  have  comfort  yet  in  store — a  man's  comfort. 
Go  your  ways  in  ! 

Exit  Miriam  into  house,  crying  softly. 

I  have  a  man's  comfort!  Sits  on  step  of  porch,  fingering 
one  of  the  rapiers. 

John — There!    [finishes  bandage)    Is't  not  fairly  done. 

Rose — Ay,  fairly. 

John — The  surgeon's  fee !  Kisses  her  hand.  Rose  starts 
up,  half  frightened  at  what  she  has  roused  in  him. 


52  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Philippe — Hey,  John,  to  your  work!  I  labor  to  no 
profit,  if  you  give  me  not  soon  fresh  store  of  corn. 
Catch,  lad !  Tosses  yohn  an  unhusked  ear  of  corn 

John  —  Ay,  let  us  be  busy.  Rose.  What  said  you? 
"Labor  breeds  contentment".?  Look  you,  now  Garrett 
sits  idle,  he  hath  fallen  to  sulking. 

Garrett  —  (looks  up,  testing  point  of  rapier  with  his 
hand)  Nay,  I  am  not  sulking — nor  am  I  altogether 
idle,      fohn  tears  off  last  husk  of  corn. 

Rose  —  Ah,  look!  The  ear  of  corn!  'Tis  red — a 
fearsome  color — the  hue  of  blood ! 

John — The  red  ear !  Know  you  the  custom  of  the 
red  ear } 

Rose — What  custom .? 

John — Amongst  the  savages,  the  warrior  that  finds  the 
red  ear  may  clasp  and  claim  what  maid  he  will.  ( Garrett 
springs  up)  And  we,  surely  we  should  follow  so  good  a 
custom !  Catches  Rose  in  his  arms 

Rose — [in  terror)   Ah,  John  !      Lethe! 

Garrett^ — [with  an  inarticulate  cry)  You  dog  !  Crosses 
and  strikes  fohn  so  that  he  reels  back. 

Rose  —  [hiding  her  face)  What  have  I  done!  What 
have  I  done! 

Philippe — Edged  tools!      I  warned  you! 

John — A  blow — and  from  you,  you  unwhipped  thief! 

Garrett — There  is  a  way  to  wipe  out  blows.  Come, 
Bully  Margeson  !  Smooth  down  your  cuffs  again,  man. 
I'll  teach  you  how  gentlemen  fight.     Catches  up  rapiers 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  53 

John — The  rogue!  What  means  he?  Fight?  And 
here  ? 

Rose — Ah,  no!      Not  here!      Philippe! 

Philippe — Too  late,  I  say  !      Keep  back  ! 

Garrett  —  (throws  rapier  at  yohn's  feet^  Your  sword. 
Master  Margeson ! 

John — Nay,  I  be  no  cut-throat  to  have  a  hand  in  such 
bloody — 

Rose — I  knew  it,  little  brother!  There'll  be  no  fight! 
No  fight ! 

John — Give  me  the  rapier,  (^throws  off  his  coat^  'Tis 
you  who  have  bred  this  crime,  mistress. 

Garrett — (seizitig  Rose's  arm)  You  jade!  You  jade! 
When  I  have  done  you  shall  kiss  me  o'  the  mouth  for 
this! 

Rose — I  will  kiss  the  better  man. 

Garrett — Then  you  will  kiss  me.  Garrett  almost 
jitngs  Rose  aside,  and  engages  with  'John.  The  sun  is  now 
near  to  setting  behind  the  autumn  trees.  Only  a  little  light 
is  caught  and  held  by  the  jiickering  rapiers. 

Philippe — Oh,  you  fools!      Put  up!      Put  up,  I  say! 

Rose — (^crouching  against  the  porch ,  almost  beside  her  self  \ 
Oh,  what  did  I  say?  They  are  fighting  —  they  are 
fighting  for  me — for  me !  O,  God !  Stop  them !  Stop 
them  !     Philippe  !     Philippe ! 

Philippe — Too  late,  I  say!     Too  late! 

Re-enter  Miriam  frotn  house. 


54         A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Miriam — O,  John!  John!  John  Margeson  will  be 
killed!     Help!     Help!     Help! 

Re-enter  Barbara. 

Barbara — A  duel!    [calls  into  house)    Miles!     Miles! 

Re-enter  Standish. 

Standish — Put  up,  you  fools,  put  up!  I'll  hang  you 
both! 

Rose — Hang!  And  I — Oh,  stop !  stop!  stop!  Flings 
herself  madly  between  the  combatants. 

Philippe — Are  you  gone  mad  ?  Philippe  flings  Rose 
aside  and  himself ,  by  the  impetus ^  breaks  through  the  rapiers^ 
staggers,  and  recovers  himself  at  back.  He  draws  out  his 
handkerchief  and  holds  it  to  his  side,  staunching  the  blood 
and  every  moment  growing  weaker.  No  one  heeds  hwi. 
Barbara  is  entirely  occupied  with  Miriam,  who  clings  to 
her,  half  hysterical. 

Garrett  —  [to  John,  still  fighting  mad)  Have  at  you, 
now !  As  they  engage  again,  Garrett  wounds  'John  slightly 
in  the  arm. 

Standish — Stand  where  you  are — on  your  life!  Gar- 
rett and  John  lower  their  rapiers. 

Rose — O,  Captain  !     Captain  ! 

Standish — Who  began  this?  (There  is  an  instant's 
pause.  Then  John  lifts  his  rapier  and  with  it  points  at 
Garrett)  You,  Garrett  Foster?  [Garrett  raises  his  eyes, 
meets  the  Captain  s  glance,  and  lets  his  eyes  fall  agaui) 
Here  is  no  place  for  brawlers.  I  put  sentence  of  ban- 
ishment upon  you.  Never  show  your  face  again  within 
the  Plymouth  settlement. 


2ND       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH -TOWN  S5 

Rose — [wildly)  Banish  him?  No,  no!  O,  Captain! 
'Twas  I  stirred  them  to  their  quarrel — I — O,  Garrett! 
Garrett ! 

Philippe  —  [coming  forward,  faintly)  I  pray  you.  Cap- 
tain !     Garrett — do  not —  Staggers 

Standish — [catching  Philippe)    Lad!     What's  wrong? 

Helps  him  to  sit  on  stump 

Rose — Philippe!     O,  my  brother  ! 

Philippe — Nay,  'tis  nothing  !  I  came  between  them 
—  Rose  —  Rose  was —  Falls  back,  fainting,  against 
Standish' s  arm. 

Rose — Oh !     Throws  herself  down  on  her  knees  by  Philippe 

Garrett — Rose!      Forgive — 

Standish — Go ! 

Rose — What  have  I  done  ?  O,  dear  God !  What  have 
I  done?  Rose  buries  her  head,  sobbing,  on  Philippe's 
knees.  Garrett  turns  and  goes  slowly  into  wood,  fohn, 
with  his  hand  pressed  to  his  wounded  arm,  watches  him  go 

CURTAIN 


Act  in   The  Red  Light  on  the  Snow 


A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         57 


JCT  III 

Scene: — SAME  AS  ACT  I.  Candles  lighted  on  table 
and  chimneypiece.  Through  the  windows  can  be  seen  the 
dark  night  sky,  and  a  few  keen,  wintry  stars. 
At  rise  of  curtain,  Barbara  sits  on  settle,  Miriam  at  her 
feet,  with  her  head  resting  on  Barbara' s  knee.  Rose  at 
window.      Aunt  Resolute  by  fire,  knitting. 


58         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Barbara — Rose!     Rose! 

Rose — What  is't?     I  thought  you  all  asleep. 

Barbara — Miriam  is  dozing — 

Miriam — [sleepily)   Indeed,  no! 

Barbara — Rest  you  still,  child  !  Can  you  see  naught, 
Rose? 

Rose — Nay,  all  is  dark  at  the  landing.  And  John 
Margeson  promised  me  so  soon  as  the  shallop  touched 
the  shore  he  would  show  a  lanthorn  there. 

Barbara — A  good  lad  ! 

Aunt  Resolute  —  Ay,  good  at  holding  a  torch  to 
other  men's  triumphs ! 

Barbara — Nay,  'tis  not  his  fault  that  he  had  no  part 
in  this  expedition  to  Manomet;  all  the  settlement 
could  not  share  therein. 

Rose — My  brother  Philippe  went. 

Miriam  —  [rousing  up)   What  said  you  of  Philippe? 

Rose — The  truth,  for  I  spoke  only  good  of  him. 

Aunt  Resolute — What  time  o'  night  is  it,  niece? 

Barbara  —  Past  mid-evening,  I  judge,  and  nipping 
cold,  I  know.  I  ne'er  have  known  a  night  in  March 
so  bitter. 

Miriam  —  How  they  must  be  suffering  in  the  shallop! 

Rose — Light,  ho!      Light,  ho! 

Barbara — They're  coming?  They're  coming?  Bar- 
bara and  Miriam  go  to  window. 


3RD        A   ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  59 

Rose — Thrice  waved  !  'Tis  they  returned,  and  cold 
and  hungry,  too.  Come,  stir,  stir,  Miriam !  Look  to 
the  soup  if  it  boil.  Miriam  runs  to  fire 

Barbara — Let  us  show  them  a  light  also.  Takes  can- 
dle from  table. 

Rose — They'll  need  no  light  to  find  their  way  hither. 
Hark  !  ( The  tramp  of  feet  is  heard  in  the  snow  without) 
Here  cometh  one  already  ! 

Enter  C  Standish^  in  corselet  and  helmet. 

Barbara — Miles!      O,  my  husband! 

Standish — (kissing  her)  Safe  back  again,  you  see,  Bab, 
a  bit  frosty,  but  hale  else.      Faith,  you're  all  astir ! 

Rose — Where  should  we  be,  Captain? 

Standish — You  might  be  sleeping  snugly,  as  we  found 
the  watchers  in  the  Common  House  but  now. 

Rose — Sleeping }     Margeson  and  all  ? 

Aunt  Resolute — Margeson  if  any,  I'll  wager  me! 

Standish — Why  so  fierce?  Their  keeping  awake 
profited  no  one. 

Rose — True  enough.  Captain,  though  you  might  say 
kinder. 

Barbara — What  success  had  you  in  your  expedition. 
Miles? 

Standish — Why,  fair  success.  But  preserve  me  from 
ever  making  another  expedition  with  the  Wessagusett 
men ! 

Barbara — Such  ill  comrades? 


6o  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Standish — I  would  not  ask  for  worse.  Still,  we  have 
secured  the  corn  and  some  beans. 

Barbara  —  And  what  of  the  Indians,  Miles?  Are 
they  friendly  ? 

Standish — Friendly  or  not,  what  matters  it? 

Barbara — Indians  have  arrows.  Miles. 

Standish — Ay,  and  the  Plymouth  men  have  bullets. 
(laughs^    The  Indians  are  friendly. 

Miriam — Will  you  eat  of  the  soup  now.  Captain 
Standish  ? 

Standish — Presently,  cousin.  I'll  shift  off  this  armor 
first. 

Barbara — I'll  light  you  hence. 

Kxit  Barbara  i?,  with  candle. 

Rose — [detaining  Standish)  Captain  Standish,  have  you 
heard — is  there  any  news  maybe — come  from  Wessa- 
gusett  ? 

Standish — No  good  news,  lass.  'Tis  an  ill  end  their 
settlement  is  rushing  to.  They  began  with  robbing 
the  savages,  and  now  the  savages  rob  them,  and  they  be 
so  weak  they  must  pocket  it  up.  'Tis  a  shame  to  their 
English  blood !     They  are  living  like  dogs. 

Rose— All  of  them  ?    Oh !     All  of  them  ? 

Standish — So  it  was  for  one  man,  and  not  the  whole 
settlement,  you  questioned  me?  Do  you  think  that 
man  hath  proved  worthy  of  the  liking  of  honest  folk? 
Nay,  forget  him,  lass,  forget  him ! 

Ejxit  Standish  R. 


3RD       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH -TOWN         6i 

Miriam — You  still  can  have  a  tenderness  for  that 
wicked  man  ? 

Rose — Wicked?  Sure,  'twas  not  your  brother  he  near 
killed. 

Miriam — Nay,  but  he  hurt  John  Margeson  sorely. 

Aunt  Resolute  —  Not  sorely  enough!  'Twas  the 
worse  news  I  heard  of  the  whole  clamjamfry  when  I 
woke  from  my  nap  that  he  hurt  not  Margeson  sorely ! 

Rose — Ay,  John  recovered.  All  is  as  it  was  before, 
save  that  Garrett  Foster  is  sent  away. 

Miriam — Nay,  comfort  you.  Rose,  if  you  need  com- 
fort.     It  may  be  he  will  return  again. 

Rose — O,  Miriam  Chillingsley !  Who  asks  him  to 
return  ?  Sure,  I  do  not.  Was  it  not  I  sent  him  hence .? 
Did  I  not  say  I  wished  never  to  see  him — 

Enter  Philippe  C,  in  buff  jacket  and  high  boots. 

Philippe — Never  see  whom,  Rose?     Not  me,  I  pray! 

Rose — Philippe!  You've  come  back  safe?  (embraces 
him\    Ah  !     How  cold  you  are  ! 

Philippe  —  I'll  be  warm  speedily. 

Aunt  Resolute — Come  hither  to  the  fire,  lad. 

Philippe  —  [sees  Miriam  and  starts  to  her^  Why, 
Miriam ! 

Miriam — (with  a  bowl  in  her  hand)  Oh,  gently,  gently! 
I'll  spill  the  soup. 

Philippe — What  matters  the  soup? 

Rose — 'Tis  not  your  soup  to  spill,  sir,  'tis  the  Captain's. 


62  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Philippe — You  are  looking  kindly  to  the  Captain's 
welfare,  Miriam.      Have  you  done  naught  for  me? 

Miriam — Yea,  indeed,  there  is  soup  and  to  spare  for 
you,  Philippe.      Rose  will  surely  give  it  unto  you. 

Exit  Miriam  R. 

Rose — Yea,  that  I  will.  Sit  you  down,  Philippe,  and 
I'll  fetch  it  you. 

Philippe — [sitting  by  table^   Nay,  I  am  not  hungry. 

Aunt  Resolute — Good  lack,  but  he's  young! 

Rose — Yet  but  now  —  Hey,  presto!  It's  a  tricksy 
appetite  you  have,  Philippe.  Goes  to  hi??i  at  table 

Philippe — In  any  case,  'tis  gone. 

Rose — Unless  Miriam  return  to  serve  you,  eh?  Listen 
to  me,  Philippe,  listen  to  me.  I  bade  thee  brother 
Miriam,  but  I  did  not  bid  thee  be  more  brotherly  to 
her  than  to  thine  own  sister. 

Philippe  —  (taking  he)-  hands^  I  would  not  be  her 
brother  for  the  world.  Rose.  Fret  not  yourself  for 
that,  for  I  say  it  from  my  heart. 

Rose — Philippe,  you  are  laughing  at  me. 

Philippe — Nay,  I  protest  to  you — 

Rose — In  the  depth  of  your  eyes  you  are  laughing. 
Let  me  go!  (tries  to  pull  away  from  hi?n\  I  hate  you! 
Let  me  go ! 

Philippe — Come,  come,  be  not  angry  with  me.  Rose. 
Be  your  own  dear  self  again  and  answer  me  soberly, 
for  there  are  a  many  things  I  have  to  ask  you. 

Rose — Ask  me?      Of  what? 


3RD       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         63 

Philippe  —  Hath  John  Margeson  been  hither  often 
these  last  days? 

Aunt  Resolute  —  Cheer  thee!  He  is  under  foot 
most  times  o'  day. 

Philippe — With  whom  doth  he  talk? 

Rose — With  whomsoever  is  foolish  enough  to  listen. 

Philippe — Is — is  Miriam  ever  thus  foolish? 

Rose — I  thought  you  held  Miriam  discreet. 

Philippe — I — I  respect  Miriam.  I  like  not  to  see 
her  pining.  Doth  all  her  love  still  turn  to  Margeson  ? 
Say  true,  sister ! 

Rose — Truly,  the  soup  is  boiling  over !  Tries  to  run  to 
Jire. 

Philippe — (^staying  her^  These  days  when  we  have 
been  storm-bound,  when  you  knew  we  were  in  peril 
on  the  sea,  did — did  she  speak  aught — of  us.  Rose? 
Have  we — have  I  been  at  all  in  her  thoughts?  Tell 
me,  sweetheart  sister,  tell  me ! 

Rose — I  see  not  what  concern  of  yours  it  is,  Philippe. 

Philippe — I  would  fain  know  if  I  have  been  at  all  in 
her  thoughts.      Come,  honey,  answer  me. 

Rose — You  are  far  too  young  for  such  matters,  little 
brother.  Breaks  away  from  him 

Philippe — [after  a  moment^  As  you  will.  What  shall 
I  do  with  this  letter.  Rose? 

Rose — What  letter? 

Philippe — A  letter  for  you  I  have  here. 


64  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Rose — Forme?     Oh!     Forme?     From  Wessagusett  ? 

Philippe — One  of  the  settlers  who  joined  our  expe- 
dition gave  it  me.  I  think  he  said  'twas  from  Garrett 
Foster. 

Rose — (running  to  him)  Oh,  give  it  me,  give  it  me, 
Philippe ! 

Philippe — Now  I  see  not  what  concern  of  yours  it  is, 
my  Rose. 

Rose — Philippe  de  la  Noye,  give  me  my  letter! 

Philippe — You  are  far  too  young  for  such  matters, 
little  sister.      I'll  bear  it  to  the  Captain. 

Rose — Oh!  Philippe!  Philippe!  Come  back!  Come 
back  !  What  is  it  that  you  want  me  to  say  of  Miriam  ? 
Give  me  my  letter.      I'll  tell  you  anything. 

Philippe — Hath  she  thought  of  me? 

Rose — Oh,  she  hath  lain  awake  all  night  and  gone 
quite  without  food.      Give  me  my  letter. 

Philippe — Nay,  answer  me  in  earnest. 

Rose — Nay,  'tis  mostly  earnest.  The  day  it  stormed 
so  bitterly,  she  wept,  though  she  wished  me  not  to 
know.  She  hath  had  no  more  than  a  good  morrow 
for  John  Margeson  since  you  set  sail.  Now  give  me 
my  letter,  dear,  sweet  Philippe,  give  me  my  letter ! 

Philippe — Nay,  dear,  sweet  Rose,  there  is  one  thing 
else  you  must  do  ere  you  have  it. 

Rose — Aught  you  will,  but  be  brisk,  be  brisk! 

Philippe — Will  you  find  pretext  to  send  Miriam 
hither  unto  me,  and  quickly  ere  my  courage  ooze  away? 


3RD        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  65 

Rose — I  will,  I  will!  I'll  have  her  here  though  I 
fright  my  guardian  angel  with  my  lying,  [snatches 
letter)  You  rogue !  'Twould  serve  you  rightly  if  I 
broke  promise  with  you !  (opens  letter)  O,  me !  O, 
me !     I  cannot  read  this  devilish  English  hand ! 

Philippe — Maybe  I  might — 

Rose — Maybe  you  mightn't!  I'll  take  it  unto  Aunt 
Resolute!    O,  sweet  Aunt  Resolute,  wake  up !    Shakes  her 

Aunt  Resolute — Eh? 

Rose — Come  thou  within  and  read  to  me  my  letter. 

Aunt  Resolute — Within  ?  Nay,  'tis  too  far  from  the 
fire. 

Rose  —  Nay,  sure,  'tis  warm  within!  Are  not  the 
Captain  and  Mistress  Standish  biding  there? 

Aunt  Resolute — And  doth  a  man  in  love  with  his 
second  wife  know  if  the  fire  burn  or  no  ? 

Rose — Nay,  indeed,  I  feel  good  warmth  from  within. 

Aunt  Resolute — Ay,  good  warmth,  with  thy  letter 
on  thy  breast !  I've  no  such  make-cheer  to  fright  the 
rheumatics. 

Rose — Oh,  but  Aunt  Resolute,  you  read  so  beautifully 
— sweet  Aunt  Resolute  ! 

Aunt  Resolute — Well,  well,  I'll  come  !      I'll  come  ! 

Exeunt  Rose  and  Aunt  Resolute  R. 

Philippe — Dear  Rose !  She  doth  love  him,  whether 
or  no.  He  was  a  rare  lad,  Garrett  Foster.  Perhaps, 
after  all,  some  part  of  that  advice  of  his  was  sound.  A 
bit  more  courage — and  give  the  lass  a  chance  to  speak 


66         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

her  mind,  [starts  to  door  R  boldly,  changes  his  jnind,  comes 
slowly  back  to  Jire)  Foster's  advice  —  good  advice  it 
sounded — yet  Foster's  way  of  wooing  sped  but  ill  with 
Rose  !  And  if  it  fare  so  with  Miriam  !  Lord  !  Lord ! 
what  a  thing  it  is  to  be  afraid !  I  think  I  ne'er  before 
was  afraid  in  all  my  life !  Now  if  Miriam  were  but 
an  Indian  with  a  tomahawk — Hark!  Is  it  she? 
Now  Heaven  forbid  that  she  be  coming  now,  so  soon — 
an  hour  hence — a  half  hour  hence — 

Re-enter  Miriam.  ^ 

Ah  !      Good  even,  Miriam. 

Miriam — You  sent  for  me.  Rose  said. 

Philippe — Rose  told  you  that  I  sent  for  you  ?  When 
I  did  but  bid  the  jade  send  you  hither  that  I  might 
pretend  I  met  you  by  mistake! 

Miriam — Philippe ! 

Philippe — Lord!      That  was  a  sweet  beginning! 

Miriam — Nay,  if  Rose  erred  and  you  want  me  not — 

Philippe — Want  you?  I  ne'er  knew  what  'twas  to 
want  until  I  wanted  you.  Have  you  no  word  of  wel- 
come for  me? 

Miriam — You  are  welcome  home.  Sure,  that  you 
know  without  my  saying. 

Philippe — Things  that  people  know  are  yet  ofttimes 
sweet  to  hear. 

Miriam — Yea,  I  can  well  believe  it.       Goes  to  window 

Philippe — Ah,  you  watch  for  Margeson. 


3RD        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  67 

Miriam — Why  should  I  watch  for  him?  He  is 
Rose's  lover,  not  mine. 

Philippe — Nay,  forgive  me. 

Miriam — There  is  naught  to  forgive.  Why  should 
you  not  speak  of  John  ?     He  is  naught  unto  me. 

Philippe  —  {going  to  her)   You  mean — 

Miriam — Yea,  I  mean  it  in  truth.  For  I —  (embar- 
rassed, looks  out  of  window)  For  he —  Ah!  What  was 
that  ? 

Philippe — Where  ? 
Miriam — There,  yonder,  the  red  light  on  the  snow. 

Philippe — Nay,  'tis  nothing.  A  light  from  the  sky, 
we  saw  it  yesternight. 

Miriam — Oh,  I  like  it  not.  'Tis  fearsome — 'tis  like 
witch-play. 

Philippe — Nay,  look  not  forth.      Come  hither  to  the 

fire. 

Miriam  —  (sits  on  settle)   I  remember  it.     When  I  was 

a  child,  they  used  to  tell  me  that  that  red  light  presaged 

war  and  the  shedding  of  blood. 

Philippe — Heaven  forbid  ! 

Miriam — Tell  me,  Philippe,  tell  me  true — somewhat 
of  Captain  Standish's  talk  I  overheard  but  now,  some- 
what touching  the  savages.  Sure,  you  met  with  no 
unfriendliness  among  the  savages? 

Philippe — Why,  no,  Miriam. 

Miriam — You  are  cheating  me  because  you  think  me 
afraid.  Tell  me  truly,  Philippe,  who  is  the  Indian 
Wituwamat  the  Captain  spoke  of? 


68         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Philippe — Why,  'tis  just  when  we  were  at  Manomet, 
this  Wituwamat  of  the  Massachusetts  tribe  came  in 
unto  the  Captain  and  delivered  a  long  speech  we  none 
of  us  could  understand.  Yea,  and  he  looked  scornfully 
upon  us,  but  looks  hurt  no  man  and — You  must  not 
be  afraid,  indeed,  indeed  you  must  not  be  afraid, 
Miriam,  sweetheart !  [gasps,  stops)  It  doth  not  offend 
you  that  I — called  you  sweet — that  I —  [sits  by  her) 
It  doth  not  offend —  [aside)  Mayhap  'tis  the  moment! 
A  bit  more  courage,  and  beat  in  the  door  boldly !  Very 
timidly  puts  his  arm  about  Miriam. 

Miriam — [indignantly)   Philippe! 

Philippe — [drawing  away  to  the  far  end  of  settle,  angrily) 
Beat  in  the  door  boldly !  Verily,  that  Garrett  Foster 
was  a  fool !  Now  you're  angered,  Miriam.  And  I — 
I —  Ah,  well,  I  cannot  doubt  'tis  that  your  thoughts 
are  still  with  John  Margeson. 

Miriam — No,  I  tell  you,  no!  I  have  never  given  a 
thought  to  John  Margeson,  not  one,  not  since — Hesitates 

Philippe — [eagerly)   Since  when  ? 

Miriam — Now  do  you  think  the  heart  of  a  maid  doth 
keep  a  calendar  of  days  or  of  weeks  ? 

Philippe — Ah,  why  will  you  tease  me?  Why  can't 
you,  like  a  sweet  maid,  make  it  easier  for  me  to  tell 
you  that  I  love  you?  You  know  I  want  to  tell  you. 
You  know  I — I  don't  dare  tell  you — I  know  not  how 
to  tell  you  I  love  you — I  have  had  no  experience  in 
such  matters. 

Miriam  —  [pleased,  turning  to  him)   Truly,  Philippe? 


3RD       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         69 

Philippe — Ay,  truly !  Why,  I've  never  in  my  life  so 
much  as  kissed  any  maid  save  Rose,  my  sister — 

Miriam — How  good  you — 

Philippe — You  see,  there's  so  devilish  little  chance 
here  for  a  lad  to  learn  kissing.  There  are  naught  but 
staid  and  married  women  here  in  Plymouth  town. 

Miriam — (yexedy  turning  away^   O,  Philippe! 

Philippe — Now  you  won't  look  at  me!  You're  not 
even  listening !      Oh,  there's  the  devil  in  women  ! 

Miriam — (turns  to  him  in  horror^   Philippe! 

Philippe — [seizing  her  hands  as  she  turns^  Ay,  that's 
better — that's  much  better  I  Now  look  at  me — and 
tell  me  —  Do  you  —  May  I  —  O,  Lord!  Why  won't 
you  give  me  one  word  of  help  ? 

Miriam — Mistress  Standish  says  'tis  not  seemly  a  maid 
show  her  love  for  a  man  till  he  hath — he  hath — 

Philippe — But  I  hath.  I  would  say  I — I  can't  find 
the  word  to — 

Miriam — Is  a  lad's  love  best  told — in  words? 

Philippe — You  mean — Lord!  You  mean  that  I  may 
— that  I — O,  Miriam  !   Catches  and  kisses  her  rapturously 

Barbara — (within)  Patiently,  patiently.  Rose!  As 
Philippe  starts  to  kiss  Miriam  again^ 

Re-enter  Barbara  and  Rose. 

Philippe  tries  to  kiss  Miriam,  but  does  not  quite  dare,  lest 
the  others  see  him.  Miriam,  who  is  quite  sure  they  will  be 
seen,  protests  in  dumb-show. 


yo  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Rose — Sit  you  down  here,  Mistress  Standish.  Nay, 
but  Aunt  Resolute  had  scarce  begun  my  reading  when 
she  cried  out  on  the  cold  and  did  scurry  to  her  blankets. 
Here  still,  Philippe  ?  Run  hence,  I  pray  you.  Can 
you  not  talk  unto  the  Captain  ? 

Philippe — That  I  will,  and  very  gladly.  Rises 

Rose — Philippe!  Points  to  Miria?n 

Philippe — Come,  I  wish  you  more  than  Rose,  and 
she  needs  me  not.      Come,  Miriam. 

Exeunt  Philippe  and  Miriam  R. 

Rose — Now  read  me  my  letter,  sweet  Mistress  Stan- 
dish,    (^kneels  by  Barbara^   Oh,  read  !   read  ! 

Barbara  —  Flurry  me  not,  you  giddy-pate!  'Tis  a 
task  for  me  to  read  writing,  and  this  is  ill  writ  indeed. 

Rose — Nay,  I  am  sure  'tis  very  good  writing. 

Barbara — Then  why  read  you  it  not? 

Rose — 'Tis  only  ill  writing  like  mine  own  I  can  read. 
This  is  too  good  for  my  reading.  Oh,  haste,  haste ! 
What  saith  he  ? 

Barbara — [reading)   "Good  Mistress — " 

Rose  —  He  might  have  said  "Good  Rose!"  "Dear 
Rose" — that  would  have  been  yet  seemlier. 

Barbara — "It  hath  been  in  my  mind  to  write  you 
even  since  the  day  I  went  from  Plymouth." 

Rose — Sure,  his  mind  shuts  with  lock  and  key,  since 
nothing  in  comes  out. 

Barbara — "But  at  the  first  I  dared  not,  and  still  when 
I  heard  Philippe  was  recovered,  I  dared  not." 


3RD       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         71 

Rose — Out  on  him  for  a  coward ! 

Barbara — **I  know  not  how  'tis  I  have  ventured  it 
now,  unless  it  be — "  Verily,  he  hath  so  blotted  it  here- 
abouts 'twill  need  a  better  eye  than  mine  to  unravel  it. 

Rose — Oh,  try,  try!  I  must  know  "unless  it  be" 
what!      Read  me  that  "unless"! 

Barbara — "Unless  it  be — " 

Rose — Hurry  !     Hurry  ! 

Barbara — "I  know  not  how  'tis  I  have  ventured  it 
now,  unless  it  be — it  be — "  Ah!  "Unless  it  be  that 
I  know  where  love  hath  ceased,  pity  may  be." 

Rose — Love  hath  ceased?     Love  hath  ceased? 

Barbara — "Forgive  me,  then,  for  that  I  hurt  Philippe. 
I  had  not  entered  on  the  quarrel  had  I  known  your 
heart  then  as  well  as  I  know  it  now." 

Rose — Doth  he  know  it? 

Barbara — "But  it  was  all  true  and  earnest,  what  I 
said  that  day,  though  you  would  not  believe  it." 

Rose — Ah,  but  I  did  believe  it !  How  else,  since  that 
day,  hath  my  heart  ached  all  day  long? 

Barbara — "The  rumor  comes  from  Plymouth  that  in 
the  spring  you  will  wed  John  Margeson — " 

Rose — He  could  write  that?     He  could  believe  that? 

Barbara — "If  you  hold  him  the  better  man  and  love 
him—" 

Rose — But  I  don't,  I  don't !  Here  he  insults  my  taste 
with  all  else  I 


72         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Barbara — "I  pray  you  may  be  happy.  And  in  your 
happiness  you  must  cease  to  hate  me  and  try  to  forgive." 

Rose — Forgive?     I  did  it  long  since. 

Barbara — **I  can  stay  for  no  answer,  for  the  chance 
hath  just  come  to  me  to  go  north  to  Monhegan.  I 
shall  join  the  fishing  fleet  and  work  my  way  to  Eng- 
land." 

Rose — To  England?    To  England? 

Barbara — "I  shall  never  again  vex  you,  and  so  make 
an  end  of  ill  will.  Your  assured  faithful  servant,  Gar- 
rett Foster." 

Rose — [as  if  da:z:,ed^  He  hath  gone!  He  hath  gone! 
Oh  I  Oh  !  [hides  her  face  against  Barbara's  knee)  I  said 
— I  would  lead  John  Margeson  a  dance.  'Tis  mine 
own  happiness  I  have  danced  down — mine  own  happi- 
ness and  a  brave  man's  heart ! 

Barbara — Rose!  My  little  Rose!  Indeed,  for  all 
your  folly,  you  have  not  deserved  this  bitter  pain. 

Rose  —  He  hath  gone!  He  will  not  stay  for  an 
answer  1  [starts  up,  hysterically)  What  right  had  he  ? 
Nay,  I  will  marry  John  Margeson  then.  I  will  not 
have  Garrett  Foster  find  that  he  judged  me  wrong.  I 
will  marry  John  Margeson ! 

Barbara  —  Rose,  what  are  you  saying?  You  mad 
child  !     What  are  you  saying  ? 

Rose — Have  you  not  always  praised  John  ?  Do  you 
not  counsel  me  to  marry  him  ?  An  honest,  discreet 
youth,  and  I  can  have  him  for  the  asking !  Nay,  I  can 
have  him  without  the  asking.      His  is  no  dear  price. 


3RD        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  73 

Barbara — [goes  to  Rose,  takes  her  in  her  arms)  Nay,  it 
is  your  life,  my  Rose,  my  poor,  poor  little  Rose,  that 
you  are  binding,  never  to  bloom  loose  in  sun  and  wind 
again.  Ay,  listen,  dear!  The  happiest  wife  —  and 
that,  God  knows,  am  I ! — hath  moments  when — Ah, 
my  Rose,  read  your  letter  yet  again — and  again,  ere — 

Rose — What,  what!  You  are  not  speaking  for  Garrett 
Foster?  Nay,  I  care  not  for  him  nor  for  his  letter, 
save  that  I  shall  marry  John  Margeson,  I  tell  you,  even 
as  Master  Foster  doth  advise. 

Standish  —  [within)    Barbara!      Here,  Barbara ! 

Barbara — I  must  go,  my  Rose,  for  an  instant.  There, 
I  pray  you,  calm  your  mood  and  bethink  yourself.  O, 
my  dear,  this  is  a  long  doing.  Ere  you  do  it,  think — 
and  pray ! 

Standish — (within)   Barbara! 

Barbara — I  come.  Miles!      I  come! 

Exit  Barbara  R. 

Rose — Nay,  I  be  calm  enough  to  take  the  good  advice 
my  friends  have  proffered.  Sure,  so  good  a  friend  as 
Garrett  Foster  must  know ! 

Enter  "John  C,  in  military  dress. 

Ah-h!  There  is  a  proverb  apt  for  this  coming  of  thine, 
John.  Speak  of  the —  Tut,  tut !  The  end  is  not  so 
flattering  as  the  beginning.      Yet  'tis  apt ! 

John — Are  you  in  one  of  your  mad  moods  to-night  ? 

Rose  —  Nay,  I  am  very  sane,  more  sane  than  e'er 
before,  so  prudent  folk  would  say. 


74  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

John — Why,  so  'tis  well.  For  'tis  of  a  serious  matter 
I  come  hither  to  speak  to-night. 

Rose  —  (with  rising  hysteria)  A  serious  matter?  Nay, 
though  it  be  serious,  yet  tell  it  with  a  merry  face.  I 
will  not  have  grave  looks  to-night,  I  tell  you — I  will 
not !  I  will  not !  Wherefore  should  I  not  be  merry  ? 
I've  had  such  gay  news !  Why  do  you  stand  dumb, 
John  Margeson?  Talk  to  me,  good,  ill,  I  care  not 
what,  only  talk — talk  ! 

John — Would  you  have  me  break  in  upon  you? 

Rose  —  Oh,  ever  your  brave  Sunday  manners,  John  ! 
And  ever  that  long,  long  Sunday  face !  Nay,  look  for 
once,  just  once,  as  men  look  o'  weekdays.  What,  cer- 
emony still  ?  Well,  then,  there's  my  ceremonious 
curtsy  to  requite  it.  And  I  should  have  a  Sunday  cap. 
(snatches  down  cap  from  its  hook,  and  puts  it  on)  Via, 
your  servant !  Is  this  brave  enough  to  deserve  your 
serious  matter  ?  Serious  ?  La,  la !  Tell  it  me  now, 
good,  grave  John.  Is't  Indians?  Is't  a  ship  of  war 
come  from  New  Amsterdam  ?  Is  the  Governor  fallen 
in  an  apoplexy? 

John — Truly,  there  are  times  I  believe  I  like  you  in 
your  wanton  moods. 

Rose  —  My  wanton  moods  are  over-flattered,  John. 
John!  Did  any  one  ever  call  you  "Jack"?  **Jack 
Margeson"! 

John — Nay,  but  you  might  call  me  that. 

Rose — Fortune,  I  thank  thee!  (throws  aside  cap\  And 
what  will  you  call  me  ? 


3RD        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  y^ 

John — Rose,  I  would  call  you — wife. 

Rose — Verily  and  indeed  !  Have  you  not  said  some- 
what like  to  this  ere  now  ? 

John  —  Make  an  end  of  jesting,  Rose.  It  has  gone  too 
far.      The  gossips  have  fast  coupled  our  names — 

Rose — Coupled  our  names  ?     Ours ! 

John — Ay,  since  the  ill  affair  with  that  son  of  per- 
dition— 

Rose — Son  of  perdition  ?  Ah,  to  be  sure,  you  must 
mean  that  young  man  Foster — ay,  Garrett  Foster,  he 
that  gave  you  so  sore  an  overthrow  last  summer. 

John — And  had  he  not  fled,  like  the  outlawed  villain 
that  he  was,  the  whipping-post  was  the  least  our  law 
held  in  store  for  him. 

Rose — Oh,  he  hath  no  fear  of  your  law — he  hath 
now  no  concern  for  the  colony  or  aught  that  is  in  it ! 
Sure,  this  is  not  your  grave  matter — that  Garrett  Fos- 
ter is  a  son  of  perdition .?  Tell  me  news !  Tell  me 
news! 

John  —  Is  it  not  grave  enough  that  I  prayed  you  but 
now  to  marry  me  ? 

Rose — Marry  you! 

John — I  stand  as  well  as  any  man  in  the  colony.  I 
can  care  for  you  as  well — 

Rose — And  love  me  as  well?  Look  me  in  the  eyes 
and  answer  me  that,  John  Margeson  ! 

John — Surely,  I  can  love  you  well,  Rose — so  that  you 
love  me  well. 


76         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Rose — Yes,  yes.      So  that  I  love  you  well! 

John — You'll  marry  me,  then?     'Tis  said? 

Rose — Ay !  Oh,  let  me  say  it  quickly !  I'll  marry 
you,  I  tell  you,  I'll  marry  you !      Are  you  content  ? 

Philippe — (within)   Good  night  to  you.  Captain! 

Re-enter  Philippe  and  Miriam  R. 

Philippe — Ah,  John,  do  you  bear  me  company  down 
the  hill  ?  Speaks  with  Miriam,  bidding  her  good  night  in 
dumb-show. 

John  —  Good    even    then.    Rose.       And  —  my    right. 

Draws  her  to  him 
Rose — Ay,  your  right !  Very  quiet  and  white  she  raises 
her  face  and  with  a  little  shudder  receives  his  kiss. 

Philippe  —  Rose ! 

Rose — John  and  I  have  plighted  troth,  Philippe. 
Good  night  to  you. 

Exit  yohn  C. 

Philippe — You — to  John  Margeson  ?  Rose!  After 
all  you  have  said? 

Rose — After  all  I  have  said.      I — to  John  Margeson. 

Philippe — [angrily)   Goodnight! 

Exit  Philippe  C.      Miriam  stands  in  door  to  watch 
him  go. 

Rose — Philippe!  O,  my  brother!  [she  strikes  her  hand 
against  her  lips)  His  right!  His  right  —  forever  — 
when  he  will — past  my  denying !  Oh  !  Oh  1  Sits  on 
settle. 


3RD       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         jj 

Miriam — ( turning  from  door^   D  ear  Rose! 

Rose — Shut  the  door !  Close  and  quick  !  I'm  cold  ! 
rm  deathly  cold ! 

Miriam — Ay,  sure,  'tis  a  bitter  night.  Yet  you  should 
be  heart-warm,  sister  Rose,  new  troth-plight  and  so 
happy.  Sits  by  Rose 

Rose — Ay,  new  troth-plight  and  so  happy ! 

Miriam — Nay,  will  you  not  look  at  me?  Ay,  you 
must  not  feel —  Indeed,  I  do  not  care  for  John  Mar- 
geson — no,  not  one  jot.  Grieve  not  for  that.  For  I 
see,  now  I  have  seen  other  men,  how  selfish  he  is,  and 
how  cruel —  Oh,  nay,  nay.  Rose!  Indeed  I  meant 
it  not !     I  meant  it  not ! 

Rose — You  spoke  the  truth  of  him,  I  think. 

Miriam — I  meant  it  not.     Ah,  Rose! 

Rose — You  do  not  love  him?  You  are  quite,  quite 
sure  you  do  not  love  him? 

Miriam — Oh,  quite,  quite  sure! 

Rose — At  least  I  will  be  glad  for  that.  That's  some- 
what. Why,  truly  yes,  Miriam,  I  am  happy.  It  hath 
been  so  merry  an  evening — so  merry !  Run  you  to 
bed,  sweet.      I'll  make  fast  the  door. 

Miriam — Come  speedily,  (takes  candle^  goes  up  stairs\ 
Good  night.  Rose ! 

Rose — Good  night! 

Rxit  Miriam  Rj. 

A  merry  evening!  A  merry — merry  evening!  [looks 
curiously  at  her  wrists^   Nay,  there  be  no  cords  upon  my 


78  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

wrists — yet  I  can  feel  them  there !  And  I  who  prom- 
ised long  ago  to  kiss  the  better  man !  {takes  the  letter 
from  floor  where  it  has  fallen)  The  better  man  !  I  shall 
be  John  Margeson's  wife,  as  you  counselled.  I  shall 
be  John  Margeson's  wife  —  and  John  will  have  his 
right — his  right — his —  O,  mother  in  Heaven  !  Tur?is 
sobbing  to  fireplace. 

The  door  C  opens  noiselessly,  and  Garrett  drags  him- 
self in,  bareheaded,  coatless,  white-faced,  in  the  last 
stages  of  exhaustion.  He  stands  leaning  against  the 
door-frat7ie,  speechless,  his  eyes  upon  Rose. 

Rose — (with  a  sense  of  some  one' s  being  in  the  room,  she 
turns  slowly,  sees  Garrett,  and  starts  forward )  Garrett 
Foster!  Garrett  Foster !  Here?  Here  in  Plymouth  ? 
(recovers  herself;  bitterly)  Nay,  verily,  this  is  not  the 
way  by  Monhegan  back  to  England ! 

Garrett — Rose ! 

Rose — Why  have  you  come? 

Garrett — Faith,  what  if  I  came  to  dance  at  your 
wedding.  Mistress  de  la  Noye  ? 

Rose — I  have  plighted  troth  to  John  Margeson  this 
hour — this  moment,  do  you  hear? — even  as  you  bade, 
and  because  you  bade!  (dashes  down  letter)  I —  Gar- 
rett !     You're  spent !  Starts  to  him 

Garrett — No!  No,  I  tell  you!  No!  Don't  touch 
me.  I  must  speak  with  the  Captain.  I —  Keep  your 
hands  from  me.    'Sdeath,  I  can  stand  straight!    Staggers 

Rose — (half  supporting  him)   Come  to  the  lire !    Come! 

Garrett — Not  so  near  yet!  I'm  chilled  enough  to 
freeze  the  flames.  Sinks  weakly  on  settle 


3RD        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  79 

Rose — Coatless  such  a  night  as  this?  You  have  not 
tramped  it  down  the  Massachusetts  trail  ? 

Garrett — Nay,  I  made  a  trail  of  mme  own  through 
the  bushes.  I  lost  my  way.  Last  night  I  slept  in  the 
open.  I —  Well,  'tis  over !  'Tis  over !  His  head  sinks 
upon  his  breast. 

Rose — Garrett!  Look  up!  Let  me  run  fetch  Cap- 
tain Standish ! 

Garrett — Plague  o'  your  Captain  !  (catches  her  skirt) 
D'ye  think  I  froze  and  starved  for  his  sake?  I  don't 
want  your  Captain  !     I  want  you.  Rose  !   Rose ! 

Rose — Garrett !      Have  pity  !     Have  pity  ! 

Garrett — (clinging  to  her,  half  delirious)  But  a  mo- 
ment. I  want  to  look  on  you.  I  have  thought  on 
you — but  this  is  real.  And  I'm  out  o'  the  snow; 
'twas  up  to  my  thigh  some  places,  and —  God!  but 
the  fire  is  good ! 

Rose — He's  wandering.  O,  my  lad  !  My  poor,  poor 
lad !  Let  me  bring  you  to  drink,  (she  gently  looses  his 
hold  upon  her)  Nay,  I'll  not  go  out  of  your  sight,  Gar- 
rett !     I'll  not  go  out  of  your  sight !      Crosses  to  cupboard 

Garrett — It  looks  as  I  remembered  it.     I've  thought 

on   this   room  so   many   times,   there   at  Wessagusett. 

There    you    fight    even    for   the    corner    you    lie    in. 

Always   brawling   there!       Sometimes   I   could   scarce 

think  of  you  for  the  brawling. 

Rose — (crosses  with  a  cup)   There!     'Tis  the  Captain's 

brandy !      Drink ! 

Garrett — (drinks ,  then  speaks  with  the  ghost  of  his  old 

merriment)    It  relishes  better  than  the  brew  you  gave 


8o  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

me  last  summer.  Do  you  remember  last  summer,  little 
Rose? 

Rose — Remember?    I  shall  remember  after  I  am  dead! 

Garrett — Your  health!   My  faith,  the  same  old  Rose! 

Rose — No!  No,  I  tell  you!  I  am  to  marry  John 
Margeson. 

Garrett — Don't  speak,  O  my  Rose!  Don't  speak! 
Give  me  this  minute.  He  hath  had  all  the  winter; 
he  will  have  all  the  days  that  are  to  come.  Can  you 
not  spare  me  this  one  minute?  Faith,  I'm  grown 
humble,  even  as  you  could  desire !  (rises,  draws  her  i?ito 
his  artns^  Only  a  minute,  only  to  touch  your  hand,  to 
look  on  you — 

Rose — Let  me  go,  Garrett !  Let  me  go  !  I  dare  not 
suffer  your  lightest  touch  because — 

Re-enter  yohn  quietly  C. 

Garrett — Because  you  love  him! 

Rose — No!  No!  Because  I  hate  him.  Because  I 
love —  No  !  No  !  I  said  naught !  I  said —  [John 
closes  the  door  behind  him  sharply.  Rose  turns,  startled, 
and  sees  him.  There  is  an  instant's  silence.  Then  she 
speaks  in  a  breathless  voice)   John  Margeson ! 

John — [coming  down)  I  am  not  welcome,  then?  You 
have  a  guest  ?  Ay,  as  I  thought.  Good  even  to  you, 
Garrett  Foster ! 

Rose — John,  listen  to  me.      Listen  ! 

John — How  came  you  hither? 

Garrett — How  else  but  on  my  two  feet? 


3RD        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  8i 

John — Howe'er  you  came,  you  have  broken  the  edict 
of  banishment. 

Rose — The  edict !      Garrett ! 

Garrett — I  have  broken  also  three  palings  of  your 
rotten  stockade.  Go  mend  them.  Best  take  to  your- 
self a  hammer  and  put  off  your  sword,  'less  ye  can 
handle  it  better  than  last  summer. 

Rose — Oh,  hush,  hush  ! 

John — Let  him  rail,  an  he  will,  lass.  When  a  man's 
hands  are  tied,  we  leave  his  tongue  free. 

Garrett  —  A  pretty  similitude,  Margeson,  but  my 
hands  are  not  tied,  nor  like  to  be.  Give  me  to  speak 
with  the  Captain, 

John — Stand,  there!  Your  business  is  with  the  Gov- 
ernor. 

Rose — The  Governor  ! 
John — What  is  this  gallows'  dog  to  you? 

Rose — He  was  a  good  friend  to  us  all.  Let  him  go, 
John!  You  head  the  watch;  you  have  but  to  leave 
the  way  clear.  Let  him  go !  Oh,  let  him  go,  even 
as  he  came !  I  ask  it  of  you,  my  first  asking,  since  I 
gave  you  the  right  of  my  lips. 

Garrett — Right  of  her  lips!      Hell  burn  him! 

John — I  have  a  duty  to  the  town,  mistress,  (^seizes 
Garrett  by  the  collar^     Come ! 

Rose — You  coward  !  He  can  scarce  stand  !  Runs  to 
door  R. 

John — He  need  not  feign  weakness  with  me.  Flings 
Garrett  off  so  that  he  falls  to  Jloor. 


82         A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

Rose  —  [calling  aloud^  Captain  Standish  !  Captain! 
Captain ! 

Re-enter  Standish. 

Standish — Yes,  Rose.    What  is  it?    You,  Margeson — 

Rose — No,  no  !  Look  not  thither.  Only  listen  to  me. 
Listen !  You  must  be  merciful.  You  have  always 
been.  And  'tis  because  of  me  he  has  broken  your 
edict.  Promise  you  will  deal  gently  by  him —  Garrett 
drags  himself  to  his  feet,      fohn  grasps  his  arm. 

Standish — Garrett  Foster!      Here? 

Garrett — Let  go!  [flings  'John  aside,  steps  forward 
unsteadily^  At  your  service.  Captain.     The  bad  penny — 

Standish — Silence ! 

Rose — O,  Captain!    Captain! 

Standish  —  Peace,  Rose!  Foster,  you  bear  in  mind 
the  words  I  said  to  you  when  I  sent  you  hence.  Mar- 
geson, conduct  this  man  to  the  block-house  and  secure 
him  in  close  custody. 

Rose — Captain!  It  is  not  to  prison  you  are  sending 
Garrett  Foster — it  is  to  death  ! 

John  —  His  deserts,  when  he  hath  had  due  trial. 
Come ! 

Rose — Doth  the  frost  wait  till  you  try  a  man  ere  it 
freezes  him  ?  Doth  starvation  wait,  or  fever,  or  mortal 
pain  ?  I  tell  you,  it  is  a  starving  man — a  man  wasting 
with  fever — a  man  frozen  to  the  marrow  that  you  are 
sending  to  an  icy  prison — and  to  his  sure  death  ere  it 
dawn  to-morrow  !      Captain  !     Captain  I 


3RD        A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  83 

Standish — Good  God,  lass!  I  tell  you,  I've  no  choice. 
But  if  food — my  cloak — 

Garrett  —  I'm  no  beggar  —  save  for  one  word — = 
alone  with  you —  Faint  and  gasping 

John — He  would  but  stay  a  moment  longer  in  warmth 
and  fair  company.      A  cunning  knave !      Come  ! 

Standish — 'Tis  I  command  here.  Stand  back !  [to 
Garrett^   Your  word,  lad !      Be  quick  ! 

John — But  Captain — 

Standish — Is  this  mutiny?  [John  salutes  and  sullenly 
draws  back)   Your  word  now! 

Garrett — (with  a  gasp)   Indians! 

Standish  —  (in  angry  surprise)    Body  of  God  !     What'? 

Garrett — Don't  fright  the  girl.      Indians! 

Rose — I  heard  and  I'm  not  frighted.  Quick — quick  ! 
Your  news ! 

Garrett — The  Indians  —  they're    on   the   warpath! 
They'll  strike  here  —  at  Plymouth  —  in  a  day  —  two 
days  at  most —      Garrett  sinks  down  on  the  settle^  half 
unconscious.      Rose  bends  over  him. 

John — The  man  doth  but  vapor  to  gain  more  time. 
Indians !  'Tis  a  bugbear  dream.  Captain,  this  fellow 
shall  delay  no  longer. 

Standish — You  say — 

John — 'Tis  not  I  command.  The  Governor!  [pro- 
duces a  sealed  warrant^  I  think  you  will  scarce  nay-say 
this,  Captain.  Hands  warrant  to  Standish 


84  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN 

Standish — [reading)  "Said  Garrett  Foster — for  afore- 
mentioned seditions — not  suffered  to  pass  from  juris- 
diction of  colony."  You  rat !  You  crawled  for  this 
— the  instant  this  lad  staggered  in,  dying,  to  bring  us 
warning  ? 
John — I  know  my  duty,  Captain. 

Garrett — Let  be!    (rises  unsteadily)    Take  me,  while 

yet  my  feet — 

Rose  —  Captain!       In    God's    name!      You   have   the 

power  1 

Standish — I   did  not  know  he  held  the  Governor's 

warrant.      My  power — I  have  no  power! 

John — ( collaring  Garrett)   Come! 

Rose — Wait !  Wait !  Captain  !  In  that  warrant  you 
read  no  word  of  prison.  You  said  only  that  he  should 
not  pass  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony.  Don't 
you  see?  Don't  you  see?  If  you  held  him  here — a 
prisoner — a  paroled  prisoner — 

Standish — [with  a  shout  of  relief )  Well  shot.  Major 
Rose !      Margeson,  take  your  hands  from  that  man  ! 

John — I'll  to  the  Governor.     There's  a  to-morrow! 

Rose — To-morrow  is  to-morrow !  For  to-night  Gar- 
rett Foster  rests  here,  in  the  guard  of  the  Captain  of 
Plymouth  1 

Standish — Your  parole,  sir!  With  his  last  strejigth 
Garrett  draws  himself  erect ^  salutes ,  and  falls  to  foor 
unconscious.  Rose  starts  to  hif?i.  fohn  catches  her  ann 
and  thrusts  her  back. 

CURTAIN 


Act  IV  The  Better  Man 


A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN         85 


ACT  IV 

Scene:— SAME  AS  ACT  III.  The  shutters  are  closed 
so  that  the  room  is  darkened.  Pistols  and  bags  of  powder 
are  upon  the  table.  The  room  is  in  marked  disorder ,  with 
chairs  overturned  or  displaced. 

At  rise  of  curtain,  Barbara  has  just  finished  loading  a 
musket  at  table  and  is  putting  it  down.  Miriam  is  crouch- 
ing on  the  settle,  in  great  terror. 


86         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Miriam — Oh,  what  will  become  of  us!  What  will 
become  of  us  ? 

Barbara — Miriam  !      Hush  you  now  !      Hush  ! 

Miriam  —  (^whimperings  I'm  so  frightened!  The 
Indians!      Oh,  if  tiiey  get  to  us! 

Barbara — They  will  not  reach  us,  not  while  the  Cap- 
tain guards  the  town,  (goes  to  door  C,  listens\  Listen ! 
You  can  no  longer  hear  the  shots.  They  have  not 
fired  a  shot  for  minutes.      The  fight  is  surely  over. 

Miriam  —  (sobbing"^   Oh!     Oh! 

Barbara — And  you  weep  ?  What  wife  will  you  make 
for  a  lad  with  a  wilderness  to  tame,  if  you  flinch  at  the 
first  note  of  danger  ?  Sets  the  room  to  rights 

Miriam — Oh,  but  while  the  fight  was  on,  down  there 
at  the  stockade,  I  w^s  brave — was  I  not  brave .?  Nay, 
I  did  not  cry  out,  not  once !      I  sat  quiet  here — 

Barbara — And  what  else  should  you  do,  pray?  Men 
cannot  be  hampered  with  sobbing  women,  when  they've 
men's  work  to  do. 

Miriam — I  would  be  brave,  but — oh!  oh!  the  terror 
of  it!  Here  all  was  so  peaceful  —  only  last  night 
Philippe  swore  there  was  no  danger — and  then — and 
then  this  morning,  like  an  awful  dream,  that  sudden 
flurry  of  snow  and  the  cry  that  the  savages  were  upon 
us — without  warning — 

Barbara — Ay,  it  is  not  the  fashion  with  savages  to 
send  us  warning  of  the  hour  when  they  come. 

Miriam — The  cries!  The  shots!  And  the  room  so 
dark — I  know  not  if  it  be  night  or  day ! 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  87 

Barbara — Sure,  you  would  not  fling  wide  the  shutters 
to  let  in  stray  arrows? 

Miriam — [glancing fearfully  at  windows)  Oh!  Are  the 
shutters  fast,  think  you  ?  Are  they  fast  ?  Oh,  let  us 
bar  the  door !  Runs  up  and  bars  door 

Barbara — Bar  the  door?  Then  how  shall  the  men 
run  in  when  they  need  powder?  Come,  come!  If 
our  Rose  were  here,  she  would  show  you  bravery ! 

Miriam — Oh,  Rose!  Rose!  Where  is  Rose?  No 
doubt  she  is  killed — she  and  Aunt  Resolute !  They 
went  forth  this  morning  ere  the  iight  began — I  do 
know  in  my  heart  they're  killed — 

Barbara — Folly,  child!  They  came  safe  into  the 
block-house.      Did  not  the  men  say  so  ? 

Miriam — Ay,  they  said  so!  But  I  don't  believe  them! 
I —  (heavy  hiocking  at  door  C.   Miriam  shrieks^  Oh !  Oh ! 

Philippe — (without)   Open!     Open! 

Miriam  —  (falls  on  her  knees)  Oh!  Oh!  'Tis  the 
savages ! 

Barbara — You  silly  wench !  Do  the  savages  cry  in 
Philippe's  voice  ?     'Tis  Philippe  !  Opens  door 

Enter  Philippe^  in  buff  jacket^  with  his  ??tusket. 

Miriam — (covering  her  eyes)  O,  Philippe!  Are  you 
killed  ?     I  dare  not  look  !      Are  you  killed  ? 

Philippe— Killed?     I  killed? 

Miriam  —  (peeping  between  her  fingers)  You  are  quite 
sure  you're  not  killed? 


88         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Philippe — (lifts  her  up  and  kisses  her^  Doth  a  ghost 
kiss  in  this  fashion  ? 

Barbara — And  now,  if  your  sweetheart  be  sufficient 
comforted,  tell  us,  what  news  do  you  bring  ? 

Philippe — Ah,  bad  news!  We  have  beaten  the  Indians 
back  and  the  fight  is  over.  Throws  open  shutters.  The 
afternoon  sunlight  streams  in. 

Miriam — And  you  call  that  bad  news,  that  the  fight 
is  over? 

Philippe — Why  not?  I  had  looked  to  see  a  fight  in 
earnest  —  a  grapple,  strength  to  strength  —  and  they 
never  once  topped  the  stockade.  A  few  volleys,  and 
whiff!  (a  blown  breath^  they  were  melting  back  into 
the  forest ! 

Barbara — When  you  have  fought  as  many  fights  as 
has  the  Captain,  you  will  not  weep  at  a  fight  soon 
done.      How  is  it  with  the  Captain  ? 

Philippe — Why,  hearty  and  swearing,  as  in  the  days 
when  he  fought  in  Flanders !  Ay,  and  he'll  have  me 
by  the  ears,  if  I  hasten  not  back  with  the  powder. 

Miriam — Powder!      But  the  fight  is  over! 

Philippe — Ay,  but  we  must  keep  good  guard.  And 
their  powder  is  nearly  spent. 

Barbara — [giving  powder^    Run  then! 

Philippe — I'll  run,  you  may  be  sure.  I'd  not  have 
the  Captain  rate  me  to-day.  Flings  open  door  C.  Aunt 
Re  so  lute  y  in  a  wadded  cloak  and  hoody  is  seen  drooping  on 
the  threshold,  entirely  demoralized. 

Philippe — Why,  Mistress  Story!      Alone? 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN         89 

Aunt  Resolute — Don't  talk  to  me!   Don't  talk  to  me! 

Barbara — Dear  Aunt!     'Tis  good  to  see  you  safe! 

Philippe — Sit  ye  down,  mistress.  Philippe  a?id  Bar- 
bara help  Aunt  Ke solute  to  sit  by  the  table.  Philippe' s 
musket  slips  so  it  points  at  Aunt  Resolute. 

Aunt  Resolute — Oh!     Don't  point  that  gun  at  me! 

Philippe — ( bewildered )   Gun  ? 

Aunt  Resolute — Ay,  gun!  Gun!  Turn  it  away! 
Turn  it  away!  {^Philippe  shifts  musket^  And  get  you 
gone,  gun  and  all !  You're  far  too  young  to  be  trusted 
with  a  gun ! 

Philippe — [indignantly)  Mistress  Story,  there  be  limits 
to  speech ! 

Barbara — There,  there!     Quickly  with  that  powder! 

Philippe — Ay,  mistress! 

Exit  Philippe  C. 

Aunt  Resolute — The  careless  jackanapes ! 

Barbara  —  Dear  Aunt!  To  think  of  you  at  the 
block-house,  where  the  fight  was  sorest! 

Aunt  Resolute — Ay,  well  I  know  it! 

Barbara — Your  brave  cloak — 'tis  all  besmeared  with 
dirt! 

Aunt  Resolute — 'Tis  no  wonder.  These  last  hours 
I  have  spent  a-neighboring  with  the  pumpkins  in  a 
snug,  dark  corner  of  the  cellar.  'Twas  a  fine  dark 
spot,  but  not  over-salubrious  for  my  rheumatics. 

Miriam — Oh,  the  terror  of  it! 


90  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

Aunt  Resolute — Ay,  and  rare  music  did  I  listen  to 
— whooping  of  Indians,  and  bellowing  of  men,  and 
braying  of  guns !  There  sat  I,  and  trembled,  and 
prayed,  (weeps  with  humiliation)  yea,  verily,  I  have 
prayed  to-day  with  great  fervor !      Even  I ! 

Barbara — Dear  Aunt!  My  heart  is  sorry  for  you! 
There  in  peril,  in  the  dark,  alone — 

Aunt  Resolute — [looks  up,  wickedly^  Alone?  Did  I 
say  I  was  alone  ?  Mention  it  not,  niece,  lest  unseemly 
stories  go  abroad  in  Plymouth,  but  I  was  not  alone ! 

Barbara — Not  alone?     Some  other  of  the  women — 

Aunt  Resolute  —  Slander  not  women!  'Twas  no 
woman  sought  shelter  there  in  the  cellar.  A  fine  lusty 
man —  Oh,  that  such  should  call  themselves  men ! 

Barbara — A  man?  A  man  in  hiding,  and  a  good 
fight  toward  ?  The  Captain  shall  deal  with  him  !  His 
name! 

Aunt  Resolute — Nay,  I  could  not  see  his  face.  I 
but  heard  his  teeth  chattering  in  the  dark,  (rises^  But 
I'll  search,  and  if  I  find,  'tis  one  man  in  Plymouth 
shall  taste  the  quality  of  my  tongue  !  Help  me  hence, 
lass!  (to  Miriafn^  It  has  been  a  day!  Goes  to  door  R, 
Miriam  helping  her. 

Barbara — Pray  you.  Aunt! 

Aunt  Resolute — Eh? 

Barbara — Is  our  Plymouth  still  too  quiet  for  your 
mind? 

Aunt  Resolute — You'd  say — 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  91 

Barbara — Does  it  chance  you've  found  at  last,  even 
in  our  poor  little  Plymouth,  that  new  sensation  for 
which  your  soul  yearned? 

Aunt  Resolute — Saucepate!  Bursts  into  tears 

Exeunt  R  Aunt  Ke solute,  weeping  bitterly,  and 
Miria?n.  Barbara  begins  tying  up  bags  of  powder 
at  table. 

Enter  C  Garrett.  He  wears  a  noticeable  crinison 
coaty  a  little  too  large  for  him,  and  carries  a  drawn 
sword  in  his  hand,  and  a  pistol  in  his  belt. 

Barbara — [glancing  over  her  shoulder,  carelessly^  More 
comings  ?    Well,  what  do  you  here,  John  Margeson  ? 

Garrett — If  you're  talking  to  John  Margeson,  mis- 
tress, you  must  speak  louder. 

Barbara — Lord  save  us!  You,  Garrett  Foster?  Up 
on  your  feet,  with  a  sword  in  your  hand?  Why,  I 
thought  you  were  sick,  upstairs,  in  your  bed! 

Garrett — Well,  I've  not  died  there  —  to  be  born 
again  John  Margeson.  Comes  down  and  places  his  sword 
and  pistol  on  chimney-piece. 

Barbara — But  surely  you —  What  could  have  called 
you  forth,  lad? 

Garrett — Why,  I  heard  a  cracking  of  muskets,  and 
I  bethought  me  of  a  gap  in  the  stockade — 

Barbara — A  gap?  In  our  stockade?  Did  the  Cap- 
tain— 

Garrett — The  Captain  knew  naught  of  it.  'Twas  a 
gap  I   myself  made  last  night  to  enter,  three  palings 


92         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

knocked  away.  So  I  clapped  into  what  clothes  were 
at  hand,  and  went  forth  to  the  gap,  and — and  when 
the  fight  was  over,  I  remembered  the  parole  that  I 
gave  not  to  quit  this  house. 

Barbara — Ay,  your  parole  !      If  they  saw  you,  lad  ! 

Garrett — Nay,  I  think  there's  no  one  knows  I  have 
been  forth.      For  we  had  that  gap  quite  to  ourselves — 

Barbara — You  say — 

Garrett — Yes,  we  had  it  to  ourselves  —  I  and  an 
Indian  or  so ! 

Barbara — An  Indian? 

Garrett — 'Twas  not  in  nature  an  Indian  should  not 
spy  that  gap.      But  no  Indian  came  through  that  gap! 

Barbara  —  Bless  your  brave  eyes!  And  to  think  I 
could  mistake  you  for  John !  'Twas  the  coat  deceived 
me. 

Garrett — The  coat? 

Barbara — Why,  sure,  'tis  John's  old  coat  you  are 
wearing.  There's  no  mistaking  its  crimson.  'Twas 
the  talk  of  the  settlement,  when  that  coat  was  new. 
How  came  you  by  it  ? 

Garrett — Faith,  how  do  I  know?  I  but  know  the 
Captain  bade  Philippe  fetch  me  a  doublet  from  the 
spare  coats  at  the  Common  House — beggar  that  I  am ! 

Barbara  —  Nay,  hush,  lad!  I  remember.  And  he 
brought  thee  this? 

Garrett — 'Twas  by  my  bed  when  I  woke.  And  so 
'twas  Margeson's  coat?     Lie  you  there!      Strips  off  coat 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  93 

and  flings  it  down  by  stairway,  where  it  lies  almost  con- 
cealed. It  is  now  seen  that  his  right  forearm  is  bandaged 
with  a  blood-soaked  handkerchief 

Barbara — Save  us !     Your  arm  is  hurt ! 

Garrett — Ay.  An  arrow,  I  had  to  cut  it  out. 
And  this  rag  is  untidily  soaked.  Good  mistress,  can 
you  find  me  a  fresh  bandage? 

Barbara — Ay.      I'll  run  for  an  old  linen — 

Garrett — Spare  trouble !  {^starts  to  stairs^  I'll  tear  a 
strip  from  one  of  the  sheets. 

Barbara — From  my  sheets?  From  my  well-beloved 
English  sheets?  Now  do  sheets  grow  on  bushes  at 
Wessagusett?  {^fetches  old  napkin  fro?n  cupboard  and 
bandages  his  arm)  An  you  tear  my  sheets,  you'll  find 
you'll  need  do  more  than  guard  us  from  the  savages 
ere  I  forgive  you. 

Garrett — I'll  remember.  And  I  thank  you,  mis- 
tress. Kisses  her  ha?id 

Barbara — There!  Get  you  to  your  bed,  lest  they 
guess  you  broke  parole. 

Exit  Garrett  up  stairs  and  to  chamber  Rj. 

A  brave  lad !      Oh,  my  poor  little  Rose ! 

Philippe  —  [without)   Come!     Come  you  in  ! 

Rose — [without)  No!  No!  I  don't  wish  to  come 
in!      I  — 

Enter  C  Philippe,  holding  Rose  by  the  wrist.  Her 
hair  is  disordered,  her  cap  held  in  place  by  a  single 
pin,  her  kerchief  rumpled,  her  cloak  slipping  from  her 


94         A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

shoulder.  She  carries  a  powder-horn  slung  over  her 
shoulder,  and  her  face  and  hands  are  smudged  with 
black  powder  stains. 

Philippe  —  Now  shame  upon  you!  You,  a  lass! 
Loading  of  guns  at  the  stockade,  there  among  the 
men,  as  if  you  were  a  boy ! 

Rose — [s^^fy)  Oh,  la,  la,  little  brother!  You  were 
vastly  glad  an  hour  agone,  when  'twas  your  gun  I 
loaded ! 

Philippe  —  And  you,  a  girl!  You  would  not  find 
Miriam  Chillingsley  doing  such  deeds. 

Rose— Now  since  when  am  I  to  pattern  myself  by 
Miriam  Chillingsley  ?  Miriam  load  a  gun  ?  Oh,  la ! 
Miriam  would  load  a  gun  from  the  big  end  of  the 
powder-horn — so !  I  tell  you,  she  would,  Philippe, 
she  would,  she  would ! 

Barbara — Philippe!     Why,  what  is  this  clamor? 

Philippe — Where  think  you  that  I  found  her,  this 
madcap  sister  of  mine?  There  at  the  stockade,  there 
where  the  firing  was  hottest — all  black  with  powder, 
loading  the  guns — 

Rose — Ay,  and  the  Governor — the  Governor,  mark 
you! — he  saw  me  there,  too,  and  what  think  you  he 
said  ? 

Barbara — That  you  were  best  bide  elsewhere,  since 
you  broke  from  the  rule  of  the  Captain's  wife. 

Rose  —  Nay,  he  said  he  was  proud  that  Plymouth 
owned  so  good  and  brave  a  soldier !  The  honor  of  it ! 
Straightway  I  felt  myself  grow  taller  by  an  inch  or 
twain.      Do  you  not  mark  it  ?  Stands  on  tiptoe 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  95 

Barbara — Dear  heart!  Ah,  my  Rose,  'tis  good  to 
hear  you  speak  in  the  old  tone,  'tis  good  to  hear  you 
laugh ! 

Rose — Laugh?  What  else  should  I  do?  Last  night 
I  wept  and  wept,  until  I  think  I  can  never  weep  again. 
Done  is  done,  Mistress  Standish,  done  is  done.  And 
'tis  a  sweet  spring  day,  and  we  have  fought  a  brave 
fight,  and  I  tell  you,  the  music  of  the  guns  can  drown 
the  cry  of  a  heartache  ! 

Barbara — Brave  little  lass ! 

Rose — Ay,  done  is  done!  And  I — I  am  to  marry  a 
worthy  man  who — can  care  for  me.  Nay,  no  more 
tears!  (turns  to  Philippe')  W^hy,  who's  sulking  here? 
You  know  what's  gone  amiss  with  Philippe?  He's 
jealous ! 

Philippe — (angrily^   Rose! 

Rose — Ay,  he's  jealous  that  the  Governor  called  me  a 
brave  soldier  while  he — he —  You  know  what  the 
Governor  bade  him  do  ? 

Philippe — You  minx! 

Rose — The  Governor  bade  him  come  back  here  to 
the  house  and  guard  the  women.      Poor  Philippe ! 

Barbara — And  are  we  not  worth  guarding? 

Philippe — No !  Not  while  the  other  men  strengthen 
the  stockade  and  do  man's  work.  Well,  'tis  John 
Margeson  I  can  thank  that  I  am  put  to  this  service. 
He's  done  it  to  spite  me,  because  of  the  matter  of  his 
coat. 

Rose — What  of  his  coat? 


96  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH -TOWN       act 

Philippe — Why,  I  fetched  some  clothes  for  Garrett 
from  the  Common  House,  and  John  says  'twas  his  coat 
I  took.  A  churlish  fellow  to  begrudge  a  coat  to  Gar- 
rett Foster  who  saved  the  settlement ! 

Rose  —  Ay,  Garrett's  warning  saved  the  settlement. 
They  all  know  it.  They  all  say  it.  'Twas  Garrett. 
Mistress  Standish,  how  is  he  now? 

Barbara — Sleeping  soundly,  I  pray. 

Philippe — Sleeping?  Through  all  this  turmoil ?  Ver- 
ily, he  hath  learned  to  be  an  arrant  sleepyhead  at 
Wessagusett ! 

Barbara — Ah,  let  him  rest,  poor  lad !  He  hath  well 
earned  it.  I  think  there  is  somewhat  of  fever  upon 
him.      Let  him  rest. 

Rose — [coming  to  Philippe,  earnestly^  Philippe!  You 
are  not  angry  with  me  in  earnest?  Look  at  me,  little 
brother !  No,  don't  look  like  that !  Ah,  Philippe,  be 
gentle  with  me !  Indeed,  indeed,  my  heart  is  sore ! 
And  you — you  are  all  is  left  me. 

Philippe — Rose!     I  meant  it  not!    There,  there,  dear! 

Rose — Not  a  very  merry  way  to  crave  your  counte- 
nance, is  it?     But  I'll  be  merry  straightway,  and  we'll 
be  good  comrades,  as  we  used,  won't  we,   Philippe? 
Starts  to  pat  his  cheek  with  a  powder-blackened  hand 

Philippe — Ay,  surely!  Catches  her  wrist,  looks  disap- 
provingly at  her  hand. 

Rose  —  [laughing)  It  is  black,  nest-ce  pas?  Well,  I'll 
run  within  and  wash  my  black  away.  But  I'll  return 
speedily,  Philippe,  speedily ! 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  97 

Exit  Rose  R. 

Philippe — Dear  lass !  Ah,  Mistress  Standish,  to  see 
her  there  at  the  stockade,  where  any  moment  a  chance 
arrow —  Ah,  if  Miriam  had  gone  with  her!  I  —  I  — 
Perchance,  now  the  fight  is  over,  Miriam  would  ven- 
ture forth  again  now  ? 

Barbara — Are  you  there  at  last?  Nay,  I'll  tell  her 
as  I  go  one  stays  for  her  without. 

Exit  Barbara  R. 

Philippe — I  thank  you,  mistress. 

Re-ejiter  Miriam  R. 

Miriam — O,  Philippe!  {hides  her  face  on  his  breast\ 
Oh,  I  was  so  frightened ! 

Philippe — There,  there,  sweetheart  I  You're  not 
frightened  now.  Come,  sit  you  down.  We  have  a 
grave  matter  to  speak  on.  Philippe  and  Miriam  sit  on 
settle. 

Miriam — A  grave  matter?  (alarmed^  Oh,  surely,  the 
Indians  are  not  come  to  attack  us  again  ? 

Philippe — The  Indians  are  gone.  Put  the  Indians 
from  your  mind.  'Tis  graver  far  than  that.  Miriam, 
how  shall  we  go  about  to  tell  Rose? 

Miriam — Tell  Rose? 

Philippe — Why,  that  we  have  plighted  troth. 

Miriam  —  Oh,  but  she  will  not  be  angry.  She  hath 
a  plighted  lover  of  her  own.  So  you  have  but  to  tell 
her  gently — 

Philippe — I  tell  her?     I? 


98  A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

Miriam — Why,  surely  ! 

Philippe — Now  I  —  I  should  hold  it  a  woman's  place. 
And  two  lassies  together  know  sweet  ways  to  tell  secrets. 
'Twould  be  very  seemly  if  you — 

Miriam — Nay,  that  I'll  not!  And  fie  upon  you  for 
a  coward  to  ask  it  of  me ! 

Philippe — Did  you  ever  see  my  sister  in  her  anger? 

Miriam — Nay,  to  me  she  is  ever  gentle. 

Philippe — I  have  seen  her. 

Miriam — But  surely  so  young  a  maid — so  small — 

Philippe — The  maid  may  be  small,  but  not  so  is  the 
anger.  Ah,  'tis  a  grave  matter  indeed !  How  shall  I 
tell  her?     How — 

Miriam — Whate'er  you  say,  you  must  be  very  gentle. 

Philippe — I  have  it!  Look  you,  I'll  say  somewhat 
of  Margeson  and  her  betrothal — 

Miriam — Excellent!  She  will  say  how  happy  she  is, 
and  then  you  will  say  — 

Philippe — Then  I'll  say  that  no  doubt  she  will  wish 
to  see  me  happy  too.      Why,  'tis  an  easy  task ! 

Miriam — Yes,  yes! 

Rose — (within^   Philippe! 

Miriam — Good  lack,  she's  coming! 

Philippe — Nay,  perhaps  after  all,  'twere  better  that 
you — that  you — 

Miriam — That  I'll  not !  'Tis  you  shall  tell  her  I  'Tis 
you,  I  say !  Kiins  up  to  whidow 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN  99 

Re-enter  Rose,  tidy  and  without  her  cloaky  with  knit- 
ting in  her  hand. 

Rose — Ah,  Philippe!  I'll  wager  you  know  not  what 
I  am  knitting  here.  Sits  by  table 

Philippe — [going  to  her)  Knitting?  It  looked  to  me 
as  if  you  did  but  snarl  the  yarn.  Now,  when  Miriam 
knits — 

Rose — Oh,  I  care  not  to  hear  of  Miriam !  What  is  it 
I  am  knitting,  tell  me! 

Philippe — I — I — 

Rose — Oh,  little  brother,  you  are  dull  to-day  !  I  am 
knitting  you  a  pair  of  stockings.  I've  neglected  you 
shamefully  these  last  months. 

Philippe — And  am  I  to  wait  for  stockings  till  you 
have  knit  these? 

Rose — [counting  stitches  laboriously)   One,  two  !     Ay. 

Philippe — Verily,  I  am  glad  that  summer  is  coming. 

Rose — Jackanapes ! 

Miriam — [aside  to  Philippe)  Tell  her  now,  now  while 
she  is  merry. 

Rose — You  shall  see  how  fast  I  can  knit.  The  stock- 
ings will  be  ready  before  the  winter. 

Philippe — Yes,  I  see. 

Miriam — Tell  her!  Crosses  to  fireplace.  After  a  mo- 
ment takes  down  Garrett's  pistol  firom  chimney-piece  and 
very  gingerly  handles  it. 

Philippe  —  Rose  —  er  —  er  —  I  saw  John  Margeson 
this  morning. 


loo       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Rose — {soberly^   Yes.     You  told  me. 

Philippe — I  have  hardly  had  chance  to  say  that  I  —  I 
wish  you  happy  in  your  betrothal  to  him. 

Rose — [sadly,  touching  his  hand^    I  thank  you. 

Philippe — (looking  helplessly  at  Miriam)  But — but — 
you  see —  i^to  Rose)  Surely  you  are  happy  in  your 
betrothal,  sister.? 

Rose — Oh,  don't  speak  of  this  to  me — not  yet,  little 
brother,  not  yet,  dear ! 

Philippe — Sister!  Sits  on  table  near  her 

Rose — I  don't  want  to  think  of  John  Margeson — not 
this  one  good  hour.  I  don't  want  to  think  of  last 
night.  I  want  to  believe  I  am  back  with  you  in  the 
old  days,  good  comrades  as  we  used  to  be.  Philippe, 
do  you  remember,  when  you  would  wheedle  something 
from  me,  how  you  used  to  coax  me  and  call  me  Sweet- 
heart Rose }     Call  me  that  now,  as  we  used  ! 

Philippe — Ay,  as  we  used,  dear  Rose! 

Rose — Say  "Sweetheart  Rose"! 

Philippe — (rising)  Nay,  sister,  'tis  foolish,  but  I  did 
promise  her  who  is  my  sweetheart  indeed  that  I  would 
never  say  sweetheart  to — 

Rose — Your  sweetheart  indeed  ! 

Miriam  —  (hurts  her  hand  with  pistol)    Oh  I 

Philippe  —  (crosses,  takes  pistol  from  Miriatn)  Take 
heed  how  you  play  with  that  pistol !  If  you  were 
hurt,  sweetheart !  Kisses  her 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        loi 

Rose — [springing  up^  Oh!  Philippe  de  la  Noye!  How 
dare  you ! 

Miriam — Is  this  your  gentle  telling?  You've  spoilt 
all !      Let  me  go  !     Let  me  go  ! 

Philippe — Oh,  but  a  stockade  fight  is  sport  to  this ! 
Now  if  you  plight  troth  to  a  man,  why  may  not  I  to 
a  maid? 

Rose  —  Plighted  troth?  Miriam,  you  should  take 
shame  to  yourself.  My  only  brother — all  I  have  in 
the  world —  I  did  but  lend  him  to  you  and  you've 
stolen  him  from  me — you've — 

Philippe — Peace,  I  say.  Rose!  Will  you  make  her 
weep  ? 

Rose — Ay,  she  must  not  shed  a  tear,  your  sweetheart, 
and  you  care  not  though  I  cry  my  eyes  blind. 

Miriam — Oh,  Rose,  prithee — prithee — 

Rose — Don't  touch  me!  My  only  brother!  All — 
all  I  had  I 

Miriam — O,  cruel!      Would  you  alone  be  happy? 

Rose — I — happy?  Nay,  I  would  alone  be — unhappy. 
What  right  have  I —  O,  Miriam,  forgive  me!  I  was 
selfish.  I  was  cruel.  Forgive  me,  little  sister.  Takes 
Miriam  in  her  arms. 

Philippe — The  Lord  fought  for  me! 

Rose — There,  go  now — go  !  'Tis  a  strange  day — a 
strange  day  I  Philippe,  take  your — sweetheart,  and 
God  go  with  you !  Philippe  kisses  Rose's  hand 

Exeunt  Philippe  R,  with  Miriam. 


I02       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

Even  Philippe !     Even  my  brother  !     Oh,  I'm  alone — 

alone ! 

Re-enter  on  stairs  Garrett,  coatless,  in  a  clean  shirt, 
the  sleeve  of  which  covers  the  bandage  on  his  arm. 

Rose — Oh!     You  have  risen  ? 

Garrett — At  last !  incomes  down  stairs'^  I  take  shame 
to  myself  for  a  laggard. 

Rose — Ay,  v^ell  you  may!  For  v^hile  you  slept,  a 
good  fight  has  been  fought.  Oh,  no,  no,  Garrett!  I 
know  not  what  I  say !  You  were  spent,  you  were  ill. 
'Twas  well  that  you  could  sleep. 

Garrett — Ay,  'twas  well.     For  I  had  a  good  dream. 

Rose — A  dream? 

Garrett — I  dreamed  that  all  that  happened  here  last 
night  was  a  dream — all  but  one  moment. 

Rose — One  moment  ? 

Garrett — ^passionately^   The  moment  when — 

Rose — The  moment  that  you  must  forget. 

Garrett — Rose ! 

Rose — Ah,  not  like  that,  Garrett!  You  must  never 
speak  to  me  like  that — never  again !  The  night  is 
over,  we  are  sane  now,  in  the  daylight,  are  we  not } 
And — and  I  am  a  plighted  wife. 

Garrett — {bitterly^   Ay,  plighted  to  a — 

Rose — Hush!      He  is  to  be  my  husband. 

Garrett — Rose!  [catches  her  hand^  Forgive  me  !  I 
was  a  brute  to  lay  more  upon  you.      I  — 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        103 

Rose — I  pray  you,  let  go  my  hand. 

Garrett — Sure,  you  can  suffer  that  much — ^just  the 
touch  of  a  friend's  hand?  You've  not  cast  me  out 
utterly  from  your — friendship?  Nay,  I'll  speak  of 
naught  that  may  offend  you,  I  swear  it.  Only  to  touch 
your  hand — there  is  no  wrong  in  that?  Nor  in  that 
we  speak  together  for  one  little  moment.  'Tis  for  the 
last  time. 

Rose — Garrett !  Sits  on  settle 

Garrett — Ay,  an  they  set  me  free,  I  shall  get  me 
back  to  England. 

Rose — Yes !      Back  to  England  !      And  then  ? 

Garrett — Then  to  the  wars! 

Rose — Yes. 

Garrett — When  I  am  gone,  I  wonder — will  you 
ever  think  upon  me.  Rose? 

Rose — I  shall  not  forget  you.  I  do  not  forget  my — 
friends.  When  I  sit  at  my  wheel,  in — my  husband's 
house,  I  shall  think  on  you,  and  I  shall  pray  God  that 
you  speed  well — indeed,  I  shall  pray  it !  I  shall  pray 
it !  Rises,  turns  away 

Garrett — I  shall  speed  the  better  in  that  your  prayers 
go  with  me.      I — Rose!  Catches  her  to  him 

Rose — Oh,  no!  No!  It  is  the  end — it  is  the  end! 
I  cannot  make  you  a  mere  friend,  not  even  to  give 
myself  these  moments  with  you,  with  an  honest  heart 
I  cannot!  We  must  not  speak  —  we  must  not  see 
each  other,  never  again.      Oh,  my  dear,  can't  you  see? 


I04       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

I'm  afraid  of  you  !  Fm  afraid  of  myself!  Turns  away, 
hiding  her  face. 

Garrett — Forgive  me  this  that  I  have  wrung  from 
you.     'Tis  for  the  last  time.  Goes  toward  stairs 

Enter  'John  C. 

John — Good  morrow  to  you,  Rose.  Stands  at  foot  of 
stairs. 

Garrett — Let  me  pass  hence. 

John — 'Tis  a  high  tone  you  take  for  a  jail-bird. 

Garrett — But  you  are  not  my  jailer.  You!  Will 
you  tell  me  now  that  the  Indians  were  my  bugbear 
dream  ?     Next  time,  believe  my  warnings. 

John — You  came  to  warn  the  settlement !  You  came 
to  Plymouth  to  steal  my  holdings — and  you  came  an 
hour  too  late ! 

Rose— Oh! 

John — You  can  make  your  boast  of  saving  the  settle- 
ment—  you  always  were  a  braggart!  But  the  girl 
is  mine  —  you  hear  me?  Now  you  may  go  hence. 
{comes  down^   The  Governor  hath  set  you  free. 

Rose — (joyfully)   Free  ? 

John — Ay,  free  !  He  hath  given  you  back  your  parole 
for  this  brave  deed  of  yours — and  you  are  free.  Free 
to  go  to  the  devil,  an  you  will !  [turns  to  Rose)  Rose, 
my  sweetheart !     Where  is  my  kiss .?       Starts  to  kiss  her 

Rose — [shrinking)    John!      No,  no! 

Garrett  —  [under  his  breath)   God!  Opens  door  C 

Rose — Garrett!  Runs  to  him  as  if  for  protection 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        105 

John — By  what  right,  mistress,  do  you  hold  him  here  ? 

Rose — What  right?  (wildly)  That  he  is  a  sick  man,  a 
fevered  man — 

Garrett — Nay,  let  me  go !  There  is  less  fever  upon 
me  alone,  out  under  the  sky  ! 

Exit  Garrett  C. 

Rose — Garrett !  O,  Garrett !  Leans  against  door^  with 
face  hidden. 

John — Truly,  'tis  a  lover-like  greeting  you  give  me, 
mistress. 

Rose — (turns  to  him)  John!  I  —  I  have  to  speak  with 
you.      You  will  listen  ?     Oh,  you  will  listen  ? 

John — (curtly)   I'll  listen. 

Rose — You  know  —  you  know  I  said  last  night — I 
said  that  I  would  marry  you  — 

John — Ay,  I  have  your  promise.  And  you  said  once 
you  kept  your  promises. 

Rose  —  Ay,  and  I'll  stand  to  what  I  said,  unless  — 
unless —  But  for  your  own  sake —  Ah,  John  Marge- 
son,  you  know,  you  know !  I  was  mad  last  night,  mad 
when  I  pledged  myself  to  you.  I  never  loved  you.  I 
could  not  love  you.     You  know  the  man  I  love. 

John — I  know  that  once,  here  in  this  very  spot,  you 
taunted  me  with  breach  of  faith,  because  of  a  gossips' 
rumor.  You're  not  so  strict  to-day  in  the  matter  of 
keeping  faith.  Remember,  mistress,  whate'er  was  said 
of  me,  I  never  broke  my  solemn  word. 

Rose — Nor  have  I.  Nor  will  I.  You  have  my  pledge, 
you  will  do  with  me  as  you  list.      But  my  heart  — 


io6       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

look  in  my  eyes,  John  Margeson !  —  never  will  you 
have  my  heart — never — to  eternity  ! 

John — Let  your  heart  stray,  if  it  dare,  so  that  I  have 
you —  {catches  her  in  his  arms^  you — the  you  I  hold 
— that  I  hold  from  Garrett  Foster. 

Rose — Oh  !     Oh  !  A  long  shudder 

John — I  have  your  pledge,  I  say — your  solemn  pledge 
that  you  may  not  break,  not  till  the  day  I,  too,  prove 
a  false  speaker. 

Enter  Standish  C  in  armor ,  with  his  musket. 
Standish — Margeson!     Well  met! 
John — [apprehensively^   What  would  you.  Captain? 

Standish — Nay,  lad,  I  want  but  to  look  upon  you, 
for  verily  you  stand  a  new  man  in  my  eyes ! 

John — [starts  and  shrinks^   Captain,  what — 

Standish — John,  this  many  a  day  I've  wronged  you 
in  my  thoughts.  Rose,  your  woman's  eyes  saw  clearer 
than  my  own  to  this  man's  heart. 

Rose — John,  what  does  he  mean  ? 

John — Nay,  I  —  I  — 

Standish — I  mean,  lass,  'tis  thanks  to  this  man,  your 
plighted  lover,  that  the  settlement  this  day  was  saved 
from  the  savages. 

Re-enter    Garrett   C,   afid    Philippe    R,    and   listen 
intently. 

Rose — What !      Captain  ! 

Standish — There  was  a  breach  in  the  stockade,  and 
John  Margeson  held  that  breach  alone  until  we  brought 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN        107 

him  help.  Then  he  slipped  away.  The  snow  was  so 
thick,  faith,  John,  I  could  not  have  guessed  who  fought 
that  fight,  but  for  the  crimson  of  that  old  coat  of  thine 
that  gleamed  through  the  snow. 

John — My  crimson  coat !      God  ! 

Garrett — (starting  forward^   Captain  ! 

Rose — And  John — John's  fight  saved  the  settlement! 
Oh,  I  can  bear  life  the  better ! 

Philippe — [in  amazement^  His  fight  saved  the  settle- 
ment?    It  was  John  Margeson  who  held  the  stockade? 

Standish — John  Margeson  and  no  other,  [to  Garrett) 
Foster,  you  would  speak  with  me? 

Garrett — I — I — [hesitates^  looking  at  Rose)  Oh,  'twas 
naught.  They  say  you  sail  this  night  with  aid  to  Wes- 
sagusett.  Let  me  go  with  you,  Captain !  Let  me  go 
with  you ! 

Standish — Have  your  will.  Get  your  arms!  John, 
bid  them  beat  the  long  roll  in  the  street.  Philippe, 
look  to  my  musket,  (^tosses  it  to  Philippe)  then  bear  it 
to  the  shallop.     We  sail  within  the  hour. 

Exeunt  Standish  C,  Philippe  R.  "John  starts  to  door 
C,  but  pauses  by  window  in  thought.  Rose  starts  to 
door  R.      Garrett  goes  to  her. 

Garrett  —  Rose!  You  are  happier  for  that  John 
Margeson  bore  himself  bravely  to-day  ? 

Rose — Must  I  not  be  happier  ?  He  may  be  harsh  and 
bitter,  but  he  is  a  brave  man.  I  can  at  least  respect 
him.  Oh,  it  is  far,  far  easier  now — this  troth-plight 
that  I  cannot  break. 


io8       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN        act 

Garrett — I  would  make  all  things  easier  for  you, 
God  knows !  hnpulsively  Rose  catches  his  hand  in  hers^ 
laying  her  left  hand  on  his  ann.  She  touches  the  wou?id 
and  involuntarily  he  shrinks  with  pain. 

Rose — Garrett !     Your  arm  !     You're  wounded  ! 

Garrett — Nothing!  A  scratch — an  old  hurt  that 
opened  last  night.  And  you  believe  that  I  would  make 
you  happy,  were  it  in  my  power? 

Rose — I  believe  it,  Garrett. 

Fjxit  Rose  R. 

Garrett — God  keep  you  happy!  Takes  a  pistol  and 
a  cleaning  rag  from  table,  turns  to  door  C. 

John  —  incoming  forward^    Garrett  Foster! 

Garrett — Ay  ? 

John — Touching  that  coat — 

Garrett — Your  crimson  coat  —  the  coat  that  man 
wore  who  fought  at  the  broken  stockade? 

John — Ay.      Do  you —    Will  you — 

Garrett — [looking  hi?n  in  the  face\  I  will  not  make 
it  known — no,  never! — what  man  wore  that  coat. 

John — [liolding  out  his  hand")   Foster,  I  — 

Garrett  —  (^striking  down  his  hand  savagely)  Damn 
you !      Is  it  for  your  sake  I  keep  that  silence  ? 

Re-efiter  Rose  and  Philippe  R.  folin  goes  slowly 
out  C.  Garrett  steps  through  door  and  stands  watch- 
ing him  go. 

Philippe  —  Rose,    dear!       We    did    not    know   him. 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN        109 

You've  chosen  wisely.  What !  There  are  tears  in 
your  eyes! 

Rose — No,  no,  I  say!  I  will  not  weep — not  yet! 
'Twas  just  when  they  two  stood  here  together —  Nay, 
John  is  a  brave  man.  Oh,  I  must  not  look  back.  I 
must  not  look  back !  Philippe  kisses  her 

Exit  Philippe  C.  Garrett  presently  re-enters  and 
stands  by  window,  cleaning  his  pistol  awkwardly  with 
his  left  hand,  his  back  to  the  room. 

Rose — And  yet  life  goes  on  with  me.  There  will  be 
going  up  and  down,  and  daily  tasks  to  do,  ay,  and  to 
seem  merry  in  the  face  of  the  world.  Merry  !  I  won- 
der if  I  shall  ever  laugh  again.  Well,  at  least  I  can  set 
the  room  to  rights,  like  a  good  housewife — a  fit  wife 
for  John  Margeson !  insets  room  to  rights,  spies  the  crim- 
son coat  on  the  floor)  What  is  that?  Why,  what  is  here  ? 
[picks  up  coat)  Whose  coat?  Oh,  John's  coat — the 
crimson  coat  the  Captain  knew  him  by.  How  comes 
it  here?  (looks  at  Garrett,  who  is  back  to  her,  then  at 
coat)  If  it  were — O,  God !  If  it  were !  (hides  coat 
behind  her)    Garrett !    (imperatively)   Garrett ! 

Garrett — Ay.  Did  you  call.  Rose?  Comes  down, 
still  cleaning  pistol. 

Rose — What  do  you  there?  How  awkwardly  you 
work !  Is  it  your  old  wound  makes  your  arm  so  slow, 
so  clumsy — your  old  wound  ? 

Garrett — (sadly)      Old   wounds   are   slow   to    heal. 
Hose  presses  her  hand  on  the  hurt  place ;  he  shrinks 

Rose — And  that  old  wound — it  seems  strangely  tender 


no       A  ROSE  O'   PLYMOUTH-TOWN       act 

— for  an  old  wound !  Had  I  not  best  look  to  it,  ere 
you  go? 

Garrett  —  I  tell  you,  it  is  nothing.  Nay,  do  not 
touch  me ! 

Rose — How  was  it  you  said  you  were  hurt? 

Garrett — A  knife  cut. 

Rose — A  knife  cut  ?  (with  feigned  carelessness^  Then 
'twas  you  yourself  did  cut  the  arrow  from  your  wound  ? 

Garrett — (falling  into  her  trap^  Surely!  Who  else 
was  there  to  cut  it  out? 

Rose — Then  it  was  an  arrow!  It  was  an  arrow — no 
old  wound — an  arrow — shot  to-day — cut  out  to-day — 

Garrett — Nay,  what  are  you  saying?     I — 

Rose — Peace,  I  say!  Look  at  this  coat — this  crim- 
son coat — look,  look  1  Here  in  the  sleeve,  an  arrow- 
cut — an  arrow-cut! 

Garrett — Rose ! 

Rose — Here  in  the  sleeve,  above  the  place  where  you 
bear  a  bandaged  arm.  Hath  John  Margeson  a  wound, 
old  or  new  ?  Did  John  Margeson  wear  that  coat 
to-day  ?  Did  John  Margeson  fight  that  fight  to-day  ? 
Nay,  'twas  you — and  you  would  have  given  him  that 
fight  for  my  happiness'  sake ! 

Re-enter  Standish  and  'John  C. 

Standish — Rose!     What  outcry  is  this? 

Rose  —  A  cry  that  shall  ring  through  Plymouth! 
'Twas  Garrett  Foster,  not  John  Margeson,  that  fought 


4TH       A  ROSE  O'  PLYMOUTH-TOWN        iii 

that  fight  to-day — it  was  Garrett  Foster,  not  John 
Margeson,  that  saved  the  settlement! 

John — incoming  down  to  Garretf)  Curse  you!  You  told 
it — you  told  it !      You  told  'twas  you  wore  my  coat ! 

Rose — He  did  not  tell  it !  'Tis  you  who  tell  it — 
you  !      Captain,  you  heard — you  heard  ! 

Standish — [sternly^   I  heard  what  he  must  answer  to! 

John — [to  Rose,  piteously^  You  would  betray  me — you 
who  plighted  troth — who  promised — 

Rose — Whose  promise  was  to  be  mine  again — you 
said  it! — when  I  proved  you  spoke  false.  Have  you 
spoke  false  here,  when  you  claimed  this  man's  good 
fight — a  coward's  lie — yes  or  no — yes  or  no?  [John 
turns  away  in  silence"^    Ah  ! 

Standish — [motions  to  door  C,  with  the  same  gesture  he 
used  to  Garrett  in  Act  I)  Go  out  before  me !  John 
goes  out  C,  with  head  bent. 

Garrett — [incredulously^   Rose! 

Standish — Rose!     You  will  break  faith — 

Rose — Nay,  Captain,  by  your  leave,  I  will  keep  faith 
— the  faith  I  pledged  long  ago,  when  I  swore  to  kiss 
the  better  man  !  Holds  out  her  hands  to  Garrett 

CURTAIN 


Addenda 

The  borders  and  cover  design  of  this  book  were  drawn  by 
S.  L.  Bus  ha.  The  portrait  used  on  the  cover  ^  and  the 
frontispiece  are  from  photographs  by  Sch/oss ;  plates  facing 
pages  JO  and  84  are  from  Byron  photographs ;  and  the 
plate  facing  page  ^6  is  from  a  photograph  by  Fredericks. 


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